Michael Andre Takagi

Michael Andrea Takagi, a beloved father, brother, friend and educator passed away on August 26, 2025.

Born on September 12, 1952, in Fort Ord, Monterey, California, he was the fourth of eight children born to Henry Takagi and Margherita (Bonci) Takagi.  Being in a military family allowed Mike to live in many places around the country: California, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Alaska. His father retired to Tucson when Michael was 14, where he was surrounded by an enormous extended family and a lot of great food.  Siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and a close group of friends from his neighborhood of Barrio Centro helped shape the Michael Takagi we all came to know and love.

Mike enjoyed school and did well.  He attended Tucson High, graduated in 1970 and was a proud Badger his entire life.  After high school he worked for a few years at various jobs, everything from running a Christmas tree lot to working in the mines, and most importantly (or at least most frequently mentioned), being a cab driver. He made many life-long friends during this time.

Almost on a whim he decided to begin studying at the University of Arizona.  His aptitude for math and his love of reading helped him get bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.  He continued to be a huge Wildcat fan throughout his life and attended games whenever possible.

After a year teaching in Alaska, he returned to Tucson in the mid 80s to teach at Pueblo and also Catalina High School.  After retiring in 2007, Michael continued to teach math in Tucson part time for a few years.  Thousands of students across Tucson had “Mr. T” for math and they most certainly remember being entertained by his crazy antics and wonderful delivery of math concepts.  Teaching was one of his superpowers. 

He married Janice, a fellow teacher, in 1988.  They were a very busy couple for 20 years; both teaching for TUSD, also teaching extra jobs at PCC and the University of Arizona, raising children, and traveling Europe several times to visit his mother’s family in Italy.   His Italian roots proved to be a heart-warming family connection and enabled his children to gain citizenship.

Since retirement Michael had made many more trips visiting family in the US and abroad. Primarily visiting his daughter Alyssa in London, but also visiting his mother’s family in Italy and his son Tyler in Tokio, exploring Portugal, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Turkey, Greece, France, and Germany.

Mike will be most missed for his unconventional, yet loving, attention he gave his many nieces and nephews, cousins and of course his own children.  He was the center of attention at many family gatherings. Anyone who knew him will certainly have a vivid memory of him that brings on a smile, a laugh, or a groan. 

Michael is survived by his three children of whom he was extremely proud: Andre Tyler (Cecilia), Alyssa, and Kyle, a grandson due in just 2 weeks to Andre Tyler and Cecilia (named Michael, of course), all living in  Tucson, brothers Mark (Nancy) and Henry both in Idaho, sisters-in-law Jan Takagi in Virginia and Kim Takagi in Idaho, brother-in-law Doug Kaechele in Oregon, aunt Virginia Grijalva in Tucson and the mother of his children Janice Takagi in Tucson.  He also leaves behind countless adored nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margherita, four brothers: Patrick (Ellen), Paul, Peter, and John, and sister Celeste Kaechele.

Funeral services will be taking place on Friday, September 5, at

Our Mother of Sorrows

1800 S Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85710

 from 10:00 am  to 12:00 pm

Interment at Holy Hope Cemetery