born September 23, 1946. Loving husband of Pam (Klueter) left us on February 10, 2021 from Covid complications. World famous bartender at O’Connell’s Pub and formerly at Culpeppers, he will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Please wear a mask!
SERVICES: Burial of cremains will take place on Friday, April 30, 11:00 AM at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Pam we love you so much. I can’t imagine how much you already miss Mike. He was one of our favorite people and was such fun to be with. We will miss Uncle Mike’s pizza and ice cream and of course his company.
I’ve known Mike for over 40 years. The brother of Lieut. Dan Cregan SLMPD – another good friend!
Mike was a Great Guy – highly intelligent with a very wry sense of humor.
An empathetic and compassionate man who helped many people during his life.
My sincerest sympathy to Pam and all those whose lives Mike touched.
Rest In Peace My Friend.
Condolences
Myles McDonnell
We love you Cregan…always have, always will. You will be truly missed. XOXOXO
Rest in peace, Mike. Holding you with love in my broken heart.
Mike was a great friend, wonderful guy and like no other. He could read people better than anyone I have ever known. An all around wise and understanding man was he. We all loved him and will always miss him. Deep sympathies to Pam and all of Mike’s family and friends.
Farewell my dear friend. I will miss you. The world was a better place because you were in it. Peace Mike.
Dear Pam,
I am just so sorry for your loss. I heard this horrible news yesterday and it was so unbelievable and upsetting. I cannot begin to tell you how much Mike meant to me and he was a truly a world famous bartender and he made me and all around him feel so special every time you walked into O’Connell’s to visit. He is in a very special place and I am sure you know this but it does not help your pain today. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Much love,
Nicole Nix
Will miss you buddy, very much.
Most sincere condolences. Dan & Renee
Pam, your one of my dearest and been friends forever sorry so for what your going through but just know Brian and I will always be there for you. Mike will be deeply missed!! Love You Jan and Brian
Most sincere condolences. Dan & Renee
Wow I am just in shock.
I always loved talking to Mike at the bar, especially when he was a little grumpy. One of my fondest memories was when I kept calling the O’Connell’s phone line and asking what the special was on a Friday from the bar and he didn’t realize it was me doing it he was getting so irritated, and when he realized I was the one calling him he just laughed and flashed that great big smile. I’ll miss talking to you Mike, and Pam I’ll send you love, and I hope that the fond memories you have of Mike surround you and the love of friends hold you in their embrace.
Mike was a great guy. I have lots of memories of his smiling face behind the bar. So sorry for your loss. Please know we’re thinking of you and your family. RIP Mike
CREGAN – you were my buddy and Jack’s “man”. You will be deeply missed. You were a part of our family for 20* years. You will always be in our hearts. Love you, Cregan! See you on the other side.
Dear Pam,
Mostly I want you to know how much we care about you and love you…you and Mike. The both of you have always been such incredible neighbors to us, especially Phyllis and Annie, we are grateful beyond words. All of your kindnesses, support and attention will never be forgotten. Thank you both for treating my mom and aunt like family.
While we miss Mike, no one misses him more than you. We are very sorry for your loss and hold you in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that we are no further than either a walk across the street or a phone call away if anything is needed.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
John & Michelle
Phyllis & Annie
Phyl & Rachael
Ali & Sam
I’m so sorry hear this Pam you guys were the best Neighbors when we lived on Nottingham We are sending our prayers to you Mike was a great guy
Ny deepest condolences Pam Mike was a great guy and he will be terribly missed. Louie
So very sorry Pam, Mike as a wonderful guy and will be greatly missed. Had so much fun with both of you at your home. God bless
Goodbye Mike! Thank you for serving me well.
Pam,
Words cannot express our sadness for your loss. We are sending our thoughts,
prayers, love, and a big hug from our hearts.
Judie & Rick Pisano
Spent many-a-nights with Mike when he started at the CWE Culpeppers in the early to mid ‘80’s, then onto Kilkennys and then O’Connells. Great bartender with an excellent sense of humor and irritability LOL. You will be greatly missed by one and all. My deepest condolences Pam and to Mike’s family and many friends.
Mike will be truely missed. He loved my sister more than anything and you could tell by the twinkle in his eyes when he looked her. He was just an overall great person. His parties and great cooking were always a good time! Memories of Mike will always be good. Rest in peace Mike.
Mike was the love of my life!!! Together we made wonderful memories. Time in our beautiful backyard was our favorite. Thank you all for the kindness you have showed us. No one can ever replace “My Cregan”! My love, you are the song that sings inside of me. The words are always the same, they start with love and end with your name.
Pam, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Though I never had the good fortune of knowing Mike, I know he had to be a wonderful person for you to love him so much.
Rest In Peace Mike
Your smile, your sense of humor, your advice . . . we will miss you always. Know that we love you very much and will take care of Pam forever.
Another great loss for O’Connell’s pub and the hard core regulars——-I always told him how much he looked like Mark Twain!!!——-thank you for your decades of great service to everyone—-please rest in peace, and give our best to the other great bartenders that passed on before you—–
Pam. we are so sad and sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine looking out our back door and not seeing mike in his yard. You guys have been great neighbors over the years. We’re keeping you both in our hearts and prayers. We are here if you need anything. we love you, Bob & Anita Messmer.
Pam, family and precious friends of Mike. We are so saddened by this news. May your heart be healed by the memories of happiness and the friendships you shared.
So much love surrounding you, may it bring you comfort.
Tony and Heidi (Ringhofer) Nikodem
Mike was the rare combination of a truly kind person who was also a straight shooter. He was a great influence on the Leahys and we all loved him dearly and will miss him. Pam – Trina and I are here for you if you need anything!
May God leave you with fond memories of those loved and lost…
Pam, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Mike. I always enjoyed the times we spent together. He was a great guy.
Chris Zarbo
JM Cregan was first, a damn good bartender. He definitely knew his mixology. Second, he was a great scrutinizer, skeptic, critic, curmudgeon, humorist. Third, he had the best followup laugh and smile to a funny quip that rivaled anyone’s.
Please accept my host heartfelt sympathy and know that I share in your sorrow and grieve for your loss.
I was connected to Mike through his brother Dan, whom I worked with and “buddied-up” with him when he was on the backside of the bars mixin’ drinks @ Culpeppers and then O’Connell’s and I was on the front side drinkin’ ’em down. And although his drinks were good, his personality, gift-to-gab and friendship was better. God speed Mike and tell Lt. Dan I said “hello”.
Mike, all of your friends at Edibles & Essentials will miss seeing you each week. Your smile will be missed. Pam, we are all praying for you. Stay strong!
My deepest condolences Pam, family & friends I am so sorry for our loss. Mike was a great man and friend he was an awesome husband that kept my best friend so happy for the past 29 yrs. He will be greatly missed. I’ll
I’ll keep you in my heart and prayers Pam I love you, take care.
Pam and the gang at OCS,
So sorry for your loss . Mike was a true friend and I will miss him. Mike had a rough side that I loved, but the stories a lot didn’t know of him was his kindness to others. He would do things for the right reason not just so others would know he did something. I will have a drink and think of him often.
Johnny ball game
Pam, I am so terribly sorry to hear this news and sad for your loss. Mikey was a truly Great American.
Probably up there right now serving a round of Bushmills with DJ and Jack.
Tom Anderson
We love you Cregan.You always had a smile on your face. I always enjoy talking to you and your kind words to me.
We will miss you.
Pam–
What a shock. I know you guys worked hard on your back yard. It was magical. It was always a joy to see you and Mike coming down the alley to one of the neighborhood gatherings with your padded bucket seats in one hand and your drinks in the other. Let us know if we can help you in any way.
Glenn and Christine
Dear Pam,
What a terrible loss! Troy and I send our deepest sympathies to you. I always enjoyed seeing you both during our summer alley socials this past summer and getting to know you both better. Mike was a great guy!. Please let us know if there is any way we can help you during this sad time.
Rodney Jones and Troy Mann (your neighbors behind your house on Nottingham)
Pam, we were so saddened to hear about Mike. We are sorry for your loss, out deepest condolences to you and your families.
Your neighbors, Troy & Rodney
I’m so sorry for your loss! He was a great man and wonderful neighbor! I always enjoyed getting to talk to him, he will be greatly missed
I met Mike more than 40 years ago when he was hired at Culpepper’s to replace a friend of mine. We took an instant dislike to each other, which lasted a few years until I married and moved away from the West End. I didn’t see him again until some years later, when he was hired at O’Connell’s. I’d long forgotten the root of our initial aversion, and I soon grew to like Mike and appreciate him as a bartender and as a man.
I think every O’Connell’s regular will miss his prescence behind the bar. I know I will.
sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I went to St. John the Baptist grade school with him. He was fun to be around and was a kind soul.
I drank at Mike’s bar at Culpepper’s back in the day, but it was at O’Connell’s where I will always remember him. Coming through the door and seeing him behind the bar was just the start of another memorable night at O’Connell’s. It will never be the same…
I was saddened to hear about Mike. He was loved and will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss Pam.
Pam,
I’m nearly at a loss for words, in shock, sadness and grieving. Absolutely no one could miss his presence as you, sending my most heartfelt condolences. His smiling eyes lit up the room when you were around. I first met Mike about 26 years ago when frequenting O’Cs. Mike was a true mensch and you were so fortunate to have him in your life, just as all were who knew him. The world is most definitely a lesser place without him. I’d like to tell you that it will get better with time but aside from being a trite cliche, it really doesn’t. G_D be with you on this next journey in your life. My sympathies go out to you, his family and all who knew him.
Much love,
Michelle London
Cregan, Thank you for being in our lives!!! Please pour Norm one of your famously perfect Manhattans, I’m buying!
Pam—My heart goes out to you on the loss of Mike. He was a strong, kind, loving influence on us Leahy kids and his smile, laugh, and easy-going nature will always be remembered. We all loved him ❤
Pam
We are so saddened to hear about Mike. Can’t believe it. We will miss seeing him in the neighborhood and miss having drinks during our “south side alley get togethers”.
We are thinking of you and sending prayers your way.
Dave and Cheryl
I met Mike 35 years ago at the old Forest Park Hotel Bar. As a bartender I was always looking for a place to have that last drink before heading home. In those days they stayed open till 3:00am and had great food. You could walk in not knowing he was there and hear that distinctive LAUGH and it made me smile. He made everyone feel like he was their friend. At Culpepper’s, O’Connells and in life he made an impression on all he has met. May you as his family know that he will always be watching over you. He will be truly missed. Blessings
Pam, Michael and I are so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great person and he loved you so much. You have many wonderful memories of your love together. I hope those memories will help you at this time of loss. Love and peace be with you always,
I’m so deeply sorry for your loss Pam. Mike was a fine man, and I know and sadly understand you will long for him forever.
Just heard. What a loss for the St. Louis. During my two terms as US Attorney, O’Connell’s was on my calendar for every Wednesday night. Mike could always turn a bad day into a good one. My condolences to his family.
I’m still in shock over losing Mike. We talked weekly about horses, travels, earlier times in St. Louis and life. He cared about people he knew.
I miss Mike
My brother (Guy Munder) and I were boyhood friends with Dan and Mike Cregan. We lived on the next street north and only four houses down. I believe I spent more time at the Cregan’s than my own home. I saw Mike occasionally thru the years, almost every time on the other side of the bar. As a strange coincidence, I had a very vivid dream last month where Mike was a central character. I tried to reach him to reconnect, but was not successful. I would like to extend my condolences to his family, none of which I had the pleassure of meeting. Just know that Mike was a huge part of my childhood and I will never forget all the good times we shared in south St. Louis.
Aunt Pam, from the bottom of ours hearts we are truly sorry for your loss. I remember all the wonderful times we had at your house, in your back yard, and tea parties. I always said Mikey reminded me of a young Albert Einstein. With the white hair and mustache. I know your heart is aching, but just know, even though we may not be close, we still care! Love you!
Jon, Sabrina, and Madison Saettele
We always enjoyed Mike on Saturdays and Tuesdays for many years. Always a good time and always a gentleman. We will miss him like so many others
Mike was an authentic St. Louis icon. The news of his passing is a grave loss for those who knew him.
My heart goes out to his soulmate Pammy. What an incredible relationship Mike and Pam shared. Dinners, holidays, and backyard events with all the cherished friends will be engrained in our hearts forever. I feel incredibly sad knowing Mikey is no longer with us.
I will always love you both.
Pam we only met you once at Vendeset. Gary and Mike ran around in their younger years. We just found out today about Mike.
You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. So sorry for your for your loss1
Pam we met you once at Vendeset. Gary and Mike ran around in their younger years. We just found out today about Mike.
You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. So sorry for your loss!