Michael Bernacchi

Michael Dennis Bernacchi (1941–2024)

The world’s foremost Chicago Cubs fan has joined Harry Caray, Hack Wilson and Ernie Banks in the afterlife. University of Detroit Mercy Marketing Professor Michael Bernacchi, Ph.D., J.D, 83, of Huntington Woods, MI, died at his home on December 21, 2024. 

Mike was born in Kenosha, WI in 1941 to Deno and Lolamarie Bernacchi who owned several pharmacies in the Kenosha area. His loving siblings are Kathleen, Jim and Jackie, and his late brother Tom. An avid Cubs fan at a young age, Mike took the shoreline railway alone to Wrigley Field to see his boyhood hero Ernie Banks play ball. 

After graduating from Bradford High School, Mike attended Marquette University where he met his wife Marilyn. He transferred to Drake University to earn his bachelor and master degrees, while also playing football and wrestling. His skill as a pulling guard attracted attention from pro football scouts and he was drafted in the secondary draft by the Dallas Cowboys, however, his injuries precluded a career in the NFL. He pursued a Ph.D at Southern Illinois University, and then a J.D. graduate degree in law at the then-named University of Detroit. 

Mike was a professor at the University of Detroit from 1973 until his retirement in 2019, living in Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak and Huntington Woods. He was active in the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic parish overseen by Father Paul Chateau. He is survived by his ex-wife and seven children: Michael Jr., Dino, Andria, Amanda, Rocco, Gabriel and Bruno, as well as 18 grandchildren. 

Mike made a lifelong impression on the students he taught, the family he loved and the friends he helped. His generosity was unlimited. He was as known for his encyclopedic knowledge Chicago sports teams as he was for wearing their colors everywhere he went. Mike was a familiar figure in all major national and Detroit media outlets, discussing sports and entertainment marketing as well as consumer behavior and corporate social responsibility. But most of all, he was a wonderful man who was loved the most by those who knew him best.

Funeral Mass is 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (also known as Our Lady of Fatima Church) at 13500 Oak Park Blvd. (at Coolidge), Oak Park, MI 48237. Donations to Our Mother of Perpetual Help would be greatly appreciated. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Bernacchi, please visit our floral store.