Michael F. LeMay
January 18, 1938 ~ June 18, 2021
Michael F. LeMay, 83, passed away peacefully at his residence in Reston, Virginia, on June 18, 2021, with his devoted longtime love, Lily, by his side.
Mike was a long-time resident of Reston, Virginia. He attended elementary & junior high school in Arlington, Virginia. After junior high school he attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. He continued his education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the School of Architecture and Planning.
After graduating Catholic University in 1961, Mike went back to get a master’s degree and taught in their School of Architecture in the early 1960’s. This teaching experience ignited an interest in teaching and mentoring that was to shape his career.
Early on, Mike began a class to assist young architects in passing the 12-hour design exam for registration. He had conceived of the class after being asked to grade registration exams for licensing and felt that he could constructively guide the next generation of rising architects by doing so. Young architects overwhelmed by the test were able to take and pass it after his class due to his ability to demystify the test, the judge’s grading criteria, and he provided a structure for time management.
After working with several firms for a decade or so, Mike established his own practice in 1974 and became an active leader in the profession. He was a charter member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the AIA and was an instrumental player in creating the chapter itself. Mike was one of the first Presidents of the Chapter in 1978 and remained committed to AIA throughout his career. Mike’s extensive participation and leadership provided for many Emerging Leaders in the Architecture program. The firm Mike founded, now LeMay, Erickson, Willcox, PLLC, has had more ELA staff members than any other firm in the Commonwealth, a testimony to the outsized role they played in leading the profession. That is a lasting testimony and legacy of Mike LeMay.
Although Mike retired from the firm in 2006, he gave the current generation of leaders the space to guide the firm forward. He remained passionately interested in architecture and, in particular, the health of the firm he founded. Mike cared deeply about the employees, their standing in the profession, and the health of the firm. Mike never slowed down or lost his interest in ‘his’ firm.
Mike was passionate about life and enjoyed getting together with friends for a round of golf, visiting art exhibits or hosting cookouts. He enjoyed lively discussions on a range of subjects and was never shy about expressing and defending his opinions. Throughout his career he was professionally and personally involved and committed to professional, religious, cultural, and civic organizations in the Northern Virginia area.
He was always a generous guest, a gracious host and loved to be around people.
In his early days in Reston, Mike enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his brother, David (deceased). He was also a talented artist and able to produce remarkable renderings of his work and beautiful pictures freehand.
He was one of a kind and will be missed.
He is survived by his long-time love, Lily, his two sisters Patricia and Ginger, his two children David and Michele, his three grandchildren and many, many friends.
Mike was a long-time resident of Reston, Virginia. He attended elementary & junior high school in Arlington, Virginia. After junior high school he attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. He continued his education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the School of Architecture and Planning.
After graduating Catholic University in 1961, Mike went back to get a master’s degree and taught in their School of Architecture in the early 1960’s. This teaching experience ignited an interest in teaching and mentoring that was to shape his career.
Early on, Mike began a class to assist young architects in passing the 12-hour design exam for registration. He had conceived of the class after being asked to grade registration exams for licensing and felt that he could constructively guide the next generation of rising architects by doing so. Young architects overwhelmed by the test were able to take and pass it after his class due to his ability to demystify the test, the judge’s grading criteria, and he provided a structure for time management.
After working with several firms for a decade or so, Mike established his own practice in 1974 and became an active leader in the profession. He was a charter member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the AIA and was an instrumental player in creating the chapter itself. Mike was one of the first Presidents of the Chapter in 1978 and remained committed to AIA throughout his career. Mike’s extensive participation and leadership provided for many Emerging Leaders in the Architecture program. The firm Mike founded, now LeMay, Erickson, Willcox, PLLC, has had more ELA staff members than any other firm in the Commonwealth, a testimony to the outsized role they played in leading the profession. That is a lasting testimony and legacy of Mike LeMay.
Although Mike retired from the firm in 2006, he gave the current generation of leaders the space to guide the firm forward. He remained passionately interested in architecture and, in particular, the health of the firm he founded. Mike cared deeply about the employees, their standing in the profession, and the health of the firm. Mike never slowed down or lost his interest in ‘his’ firm.
Mike was passionate about life and enjoyed getting together with friends for a round of golf, visiting art exhibits or hosting cookouts. He enjoyed lively discussions on a range of subjects and was never shy about expressing and defending his opinions. Throughout his career he was professionally and personally involved and committed to professional, religious, cultural, and civic organizations in the Northern Virginia area.
He was always a generous guest, a gracious host and loved to be around people.
In his early days in Reston, Mike enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his brother, David (deceased). He was also a talented artist and able to produce remarkable renderings of his work and beautiful pictures freehand.
He was one of a kind and will be missed.
He is survived by his long-time love, Lily, his two sisters Patricia and Ginger, his two children David and Michele, his three grandchildren and many, many friends.
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My heart and deepest sympathy go out to Mike’s family. I met Mike in the early days of Reston and have many fond memories. May he Rest In Peace. He was a good guy! Ellen Cannon Anderson
During my ten years as Executive Director of the NoVa Chapter of the AIA back in the 1970’s, Mike was one of the architects who made my work more pleasurable. I worked alongside of Mike as he planned and led the classes to help young architects preparing for the design exam, and he was always a warm loving and helpful person. We always hate to lose the “good” ones. He will be missed. Ellen Cantor
I’m sadden by the passing of Michael. He contributed immeasurably to the quality of life in Reston. I was proud to call him a friend.
My name is Augustine (Augie) Taormina, AIA Emeritus. I was chairman of the architectural and building committee for Saint Bernadette’s church when Mike was the Architect in 1979. MIke did an excellent job with a design that satisfied the many ideas of the parishioners. Mike and I would meet sometimes at an architectural seminar or conference and we were friends. I haven’t seen Mike for many years, but I remember him fondly. May he rest in peace. I am sure he is now “Safely Home.” Augie
Reminder of the trees you planted many years ago! Rest In Peace.
My deepest condolences to the family. I was friends with Michele in elementary school and had lost touch with her (my maiden name is WILLIAMS). My dad died about five years ago and my mom died in September of last year. Again, my deepest sympathy.
Uncle Mike was a big presence in my life as a kid. He and my dad were close as brother in laws could be and went on yearly golfing trips. One of my favorite memories was taking a Thai cooking class with him, my dad, and Pete Bachman. Mike was fastidious about cutting every ounce of fat off of meat that he prepared. During the cooking class, my dad took all of his throw-away scraps and fried them up for the class as appetizers. He wouldn’t touch them, but the rest of us loved them. Mike was always very kind to others. David and Michele, my condolences for the loss of your dad.
I am fortunate to live in a Mike-designed home. Sorry I never got the chance to meet him. Condolences to David and Michelle.