Michael Phillip Moore

Michael Phillip Moore was born at home in Lobata, West Virginia to Walter La Francis and Mary Magdalene Moore on April 9th, Easter Sunday, 1950.

He received his public education at Douglas, Lincoln, Webster, and Roosevelt Jr High Schools in Peoria, Illinois before attending and graduating from St. Patrick Grade School in 1964 and Spaulding Institute in 1968 in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.

As a student athlete, Michael was a member of the IHSA State Qualifying RelayTeam and the 1968 Conference Football Team that was inducted into the Peoria Area Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1972, Michael received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Western Illinois University where he was member of the Leathernecks Football Team and was a proud charter member of Zeta Mu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

While working for the Illinois Dept. of Corrections, Michael pursued requirements for teaching certification and was hired by North Chicago Community High School in 1973.

He also was a charter member of the Waukegan Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. along with 15 other brothers, who chartered the chapter on March 15, 1975.

In 1975, Michael wed Henrieese Roberts and to their union, two daughters were born, Michela and Kimberly. 

Michael was a magnetic and inspiring educator and mentor. During his tenure at North Chicago Community High School, Michael taught social studies, coached football, track and field, as well as served as Dean of Students.

Following his passion for martial arts, Michael earned the rank of Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and was the Midwest Regional Black Belt Champion in 1977.  He was pivotal in bringing martial arts to Lake County and even opened his own school.

He retired in 2007 after 34 Years of service as an educator in District 187 in North Chicago.

Michael or “Coach Mo” as he is lovingly called by his student athletes, continued to work as a substitute teacher until he became ill in 2018.

Michael Philip Moore was preceded in death by his Grandparents William and Alma Moore, McKinley and Jimmie Lee Moton, Brother Walter LaFrancis Moore Jr., and Parents Walter La Francis Moore and Mary Magdalene Moore.

Michael Philip Moore passed away peacefully on February 21, 2021.

Michael is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Shaw and Michela Moore; two sons he was blessed with, Michael Malone and Leon Moore; 15 grandchildren; 9 siblings: Mary Ward, Reverend Frank Moore, Jimmie Moore, Jackie Davis, Michelle Harvey, Torrey Watson-Jones, Sharla Watson, Brandon Watson, and Jessica Moore; 13 nieces and nephews, and 9 great-nephews and nieces.

He leaves a host of cousins, relatives, colleagues, Fraternity brothers, former students, athletes, and friends to celebrate his life.

Forever Coach Mo!

In lieu of flowers please donate to Legacy Reentry Foundation NFP, a non profit organization that mentors youth with preventative programming. This organization also honors the Legacy of Michael Moore, a man who has contributed to the lives of hundreds of young people for decades until his demise. Link for contributions:

www.legacyreentryfoundation.org

There will be a memorial on Friday,  February 26, 2021 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Foss Park Community Center, 1730 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago, IL 60064. The private funeral mass will be live streamed on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 11 am at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/StAnastasiaParish

Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee. Please sign the guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; 847-571-7719.