Michael Marion Shikany

Michael Marion Shikany, 74, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022 surrounded by his beloved family. Michael was born August 15, 1948, in Atlanta to the late Abraham and Maybelle Shikany. He is preceded in death by his mother Maybelle Maloof Shikany, father Abraham Shikany and his brother Johnny Shikany.

Michael was truly one of kind and he left a lasting impact on every person that he met. He was widely known for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and his wonderfully stubborn personality. In his early years Michael developed his passion of football and played through 12th grade at St.Pius X Catholic High School, coached by his cousin, well known and admired Coach George B. Maloof. Michael developed some of the closest relationships playing football in high school and he and his football brothers never lost touch, but instead formed their special crew The Catfish. Through his young adult years, he joined and played with the south’s premiere rugby club in Atlanta “Old White Rugby” where he learned immeasurable lessons on life and made long lasting friendships.

Michael discovered and dove into his passion for acting a bit later in life, but it blossomed into a portfolio of many local based theater performances, as well as a few major films such as Taken 3 and Selma, the film in which he was most proud.

Michael was a true humanitarian. He had a deep love for giving back to the community through many different charities. One of his biggest successes was Atlanta's annual St. Jude Magic Carpet Ride gala benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He was the brainchild and the driving force behind this fundraiser and through his inspiration and his own hard work, this gala has raised nearly $1,500,000 for St. Jude's hospital over the past decade. 

Michael loved his Lebanese heritage and was a leader in his local club and in the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs, serving as President and Chairman of the Board of both organizations. He also helped found the Cedar Club Foundation, the charitable arm of the Cedar Club of Atlanta. 

Michael was a loving husband to Charlene Shikany who he met through voice/music lessons. He fell in love the moment he saw her absolute beauty and heard her incredible voice. They would go on to make many memories over their 43 years together. Michael was a proud and beloved father to Jessica Trippe and Charlie Shikany. There was nothing he loved more than gathering around the kitchen table with his wife and kids to tell jokes, stories, and most importantly, laugh. He couldn't wait to watch baseball with his grandson Andrew, or lovingly debate with his son Charlie and son in law and fellow lover of history, Alex. His beloved nephew, David Roth. Michael loved and was proud to have and be a part of his wonderfully large extended family including his many Maloof and Mansour cousins in and around Atlanta and Newnan.

Michael will truly be missed by the many people who were fortunate enough to know him. This is a true testament to the kind of person he was. His warm personality, giving spirit, and sense of humor, along with his diverse interests and his vast amount of knowledge on so many subjects enabled him to create genuine, lasting relationships that truly touched the hearts of the people that knew him. 

Michael is survived by his wife Charlene Shikany, daughter Jessica Trippe, son Charlie Shikany, grandkids Andrew Farmer and Daisie Trippe, nieces Christy and Aliyah Shikany, nephew Trey Riley, daughter-in-law Katie Spell and son-in-law Alex Trippe. 

The burial will be a private family event. 

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for December 10, 2022, at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall of St. John's Melkite Catholic Church. This celebration is open to all who knew and loved him.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for January 15th, 2023, 11:00 am at St. John’s Melkite Catholic Church followed by a Mercy Meal in the Fellowship Hall.

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In lieu of flowers, please donate to the one of these Foundations that were near and dear to Michael:

Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs Gift for Knowledge

Attn: Scholarship committee

In Memory of Michael Shikany

P.O. Box 1227

Austin, Texas 78767

OR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 

Attention: Alexandria Gates

In Memory of Michael Shikany

53 Perimeter Center East, Suite 100

Atlanta, GA  30346

Contributions can also be made to St. Jude by using the link:

events.stjude.org/mshikany

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