Michael William O’Keeffe, beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, friend to many, offender of some, hero to others, and apologist to none passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 10, at the age of 77.
Mike was better known in recent years by those at the many Orlando, Florida haunts he frequented as “Avocado Mike” for the lush, bulbous avocados he would harvest from his personal avocado tree and then pass out to his fellow patrons. What Mike’s companions likely did not know about him is that he was a veteran of both the Vietnam and Cold wars, serving as a U.S. Navy radio operator with the highest of security clearances at the time. Courted by nearly every U.S. intelligence service operating upon his honorable discharge in 1976, Mike declined their offers and pursued a degree in accounting, which years later launched him to become chief financial officer of Sea World of Florida and later of all Sea World parks.
Mike proudly served in that capacity for numerous parent organizations until asked by owner Anheuser Busch Corporation to ditch his khakis and short-sleeved PCH shirts for long-sleeved dress shirts and ties. The avocado king promptly rolled up his pressed white shirt sleeves and walked into early retirement, going on to consult for the next 20 years on theme park creation and management, helping to quench his thirst for exotic travel and exploration. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Mike attended and graduated from Wilbur Wright High School and Wright State University with a degree in Marketing before enlisting in the Navy and then, upon discharge, moved soon after to Orlando. Mike remained a fervent Cincinnati Reds fan his entire life, traveling to Cincinnati regularly to enjoy ballgames with his family.
Mike is preceded in death by eldest son Daniel Joseph, and is survived by brothers John O’Keeffe and Tim O’Keeffe, daughter Chris O’Keeffe, sons Dan O’Keeffe and Ryan O’Keeffe, daughters-in-law Tammy Riddle and Samantha O’Keeffe, and grandsons Lucas O’Keeffe, Jackson O’Keeffe, and Kai O’Keeffe.
A simple memorial service will be held for Mike on Tuesday, December 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at A Community Funeral Home & Sunset Cremations, 910 W. Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32805.