Michael David Oligny (1960 – 2026)

Michael David Oligny, 66, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, while visiting family in Texas.

Michael David Oligny

Michael was born on May 10, 1960, in Glens Falls, New York, to his mother, Marianne (née Lawler) Oligny, and his father, Roland Charles Oligny. Michael attended Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York. He served in the United States Air Force, including a tour at RAF Lakenheath AFB in the United Kingdom. Michael married the love of his life, Sheryl Ann (née Kastner) Oligny, on May 31, 1980, in Mobile, Alabama, where they began raising their family.

The Olignys moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where they home-schooled their children and formed many strong friendships. Michael worked as a respiratory therapist at several hospitals in Mobile and North Carolina before moving to full-time home construction and woodworking. Over his career, Michael built countless homes and pieces of furniture, bringing an artist’s eye and a love of his craft to his work.  In 2012, Michael and Sheryl relocated to Front Royal to be near their children and grandchildren, where they became parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Devotion to his Catholic Faith was the key motivation and inspiration in Michael’s life, and he zealously passed on his love of the faith to his family, friends, and everyone he met. Throughout his life, Michael attended daily Mass and spent multiple hours in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Michael was also a strong advocate of the Holy Rosary. Together, Michael and Sheryl organized monthly Rosaries at their home on the thirteenth of every month in honor of Our Lady of Fatima (on whose feast day Michael was eventually to pass). He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a religious education teacher. For many years, Michael and Sheryl sang together in their parish choir.

Michael’s love for life included many interests and hobbies. He was an avid outdoorsman: fishing, camping, canoeing, and hiking for many years. In particular, Michael loved skiing, beginning when he was a child and continuing until the end of his life. He coached his children in soccer, taught woodworking to children at a local school, and regularly rode his motorcycle and bicycle. Michael saw God’s handiwork in all the wonders of creation: from the tiniest flower to the flight patterns of birds to a majestic sunset, and in every snowfall and weather change.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Roland. He is survived by his mother Marianne, wife Sheryl, and children Nicholas (Heidi), Thérèse (Adam), Lauren (Jack), Phillip (Molly), and Collin (Ivanna); twenty-eight grandchildren (with all five of his children currently expecting); siblings Jean (Tim), Karen (Jim), and Andrew (Stacie); and many other extended family members.

A Holy Hour of prayer at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will be held in honor of Michael on Wednesday, May 20, from 7 to 8 pm.

A Vigil Service and Rosary will be held on Monday, May 25, from 6-8 pm at Maddox Funeral Home at 105 W Main St., Front Royal, VA 22630. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery at 200 W Prospect St., Front Royal, VA 22630, immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support Sheryl in her time of need at https://www.givesendgo.com/prayers-for-mike-oligny.