MICHAEL J. PHILBIN, Nashville, TN

Born March 10, 1946, Akron, Ohio, passed away April 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

He graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1964, received his B.A. degree from Notre Dame University in 1968, and his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1971.

He practiced law in Nashville with the firm of Taylor, Philbin, Pigue, Marchetti & Bennett and its predecessors from 1971 to 1998. From 1998 until his death Mike was in the solo practice of law as Michael J. Philbin, P.C. and was owner and President of Lawyer's Escrow Service, Inc. in the Green Hills area of Nashville.

Mike was a skillful and accomplished civil trial lawyer and was one of the pre-imminent real estate lawyers in Nashville. He was widely known and respected in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee legal community as a lawyer of the highest integrity. He was a member of the American, Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations. He served as President of the Young Members Section of the Nashville Bar Association (1975-1976), on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Bar Association (1979-1981), as a member and President (1993-1994) of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association (1974 to present), as a member of International Association of Defense Counsel (1985 to present), and of the Middle Tennessee Title Agents Association. He was admitted to practice in all State Courts of TN, Federal District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Sixth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals.

Mike was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He gave tirelessly of his time, energy and talents to many charitable causes, including Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc., St. Mary Villa, Inc., Villa Maria Manor, Inc., and St. Henry Property Development Corp. He served on the Board of Trustees for each of above organizations from 1978-1998 and during this period served intermittently in all officer positions including President. He was also an active member of Knights of Columbus from 1975 to present.

He was a passionate and accomplished golfer and a member of Richland Country Club since 1971.

Mike was known, admired, respected and loved by a wide circle of friends across the United States for his graciousness, genial nature, kindness, generosity, and sense of honor and integrity. His family and friends will always remember him for his quick wit, although sometimes it was not so "quick" as he spun a long yarn as no one else could. It was often funnier to watch Mike laughing at his own joke than the punch line was. He will be remembered for his signature dish of the best mashed potatoes ever. Mike had a gift of making each person in his presence feel special and everyone close to him knew that if he was needed, Mike would be there by plane, train or any available means to hold hands and share troubles. Heaven has gained a special soul, but this world has lost a great man.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Stephen Philbin and Ruth Cowen Philbin, and his sister Susan Philbin Walsh.

He is survived by his wife, N. Shannon McKinnon Philbin, his son and his wife of Nashville, his daughter and her husband of Norfolk, VA, three grandchildren who were the light of his life, his brother and his wife, of Albuquerque NM, his brother-in-law, of Nashville, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Denny, Ted, Phil, Dan, Jim, Mike, Ritchie, and Nixon. Honorary pallbearers are the Father Ryan Class of 1964, and Chris, David, Rob and Tim – the Crazy Crew.

Services are all at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3001 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN; visitation from 5pm-7pm on Monday, April 27th in the parish hall, and 10am-11am in the church followed by Mass of Resurrection at 11am Tuesday, April 28th.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Father Ryan Athletic Fund 700 Norwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204 or Special Olympics Tennessee P.O. Box 292549 Nashville, TN 37229-2549.