‘Unwavering Integrity’ – Supplier Veteran Mike Dineen Passes On

Michael P. Dineen, 82, a retired 30-year vice president of Pellerin Milnor Corp., passed away on May 15.

Colleagues admired Dineen–a winner of numerous industry accolades, including the Maglin/Biggie Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 and TRSA’s Associate Member Achievement Award in 2002–for his knowledge and dedication, as well as his honesty, integrity and collegiality in the community of commercial laundering across North America and beyond.

Dineen once quipped to this correspondent that he knew so many people in the linen, uniform and facility services industry across the U.S. that if he got stuck at an airport or was otherwise detained, nine out of 10 times he knew of someone he could call that would offer him a place to stay on short notice.

Roger Harris, president of Metro Linen, McKinney, TX, worked with Dineen at Ludell Manufacturing in the late 1970s. Harris described a profound experience of learning, loyalty and inspiration that he got from just over a year of working with Dineen. “I was one of the lucky ones – I got to work for Michael P. Dineen.”

A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, Dineen began his career in the laundry business as an intern at American Linen Supply, Minneapolis. He served as a vice president of Ludell Manufacturing from 1962-’84. Dineen had a two-year stint as a marketing director for Washex Corp. from 1984-’86. He joined Milnor in 1987 as director of marketing – large laundry systems, according to a news release. “His success in this position and strength in developing relationships with his peers led to his quick promotion to vice president,” the release said. “He retired in 2017, but the lasting connections he formed remained of the utmost importance.”

Pellerin Milnor President James W. Pellerin reflected on Dineen’s contributions to his company and the industry, saying that, “Mike Dineen came to Milnor as a seasoned veteran, having designed and sold heat-recovery systems throughout the country. As such, he possessed a vast knowledge of people and places which helped us immensely. Mike created and nourished his personal relationships with decision-makers in our industry, retaining goodwill during his long career. Honestly and integrity were his calling cards. It was always a pleasure to be wherever Mike worked his charm. He will long be remembered with fondness and respect.”

Beyond helping to lead the company, Dineen was active in TRSA and other industry organizations. He served on the boards of directors for TRSA and the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). He also served on and chaired committees for TRSA, the Uniform & Textile Service Association (UTSA; blended with TRSA in 2008), the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) and others.

But while these organizations felt his positive impact, individual colleagues, such as Harris, also benefited greatly from their association with Dineen. “Mike interviewed me in the Denver Airport late one Sunday night in 1978 as he crisscrossed the country preparing for the work week ahead,” said Harris, who currently serves as treasurer of TRSA. “I was 24 years old with a resume that included five laundries – and not much else. Despite that, Mike hired me to sell Ludell equipment: washers, extractors and water systems, none of which I knew anything about at the time. Little did I know I was stepping into the opportunity of a lifetime – learning from one of the most polished, respected and intelligent individuals in the industry – someone who always put integrity before self.”

Harris added that, “Mike Dineen was truly exceptional. Working for him felt like working for your father – you wanted to make him proud. His leadership style inspired you to be diligent and productive, not out of fear, but out of deep respect. He wanted everyone to succeed and pushed his sales team to operate with professionalism, integrity and attention to detail. Mike was a friend to everyone – even his competitors. One of my favorite memories is when he told me, ‘If you aren’t on your game – if you’re not having a good day – just go home. Take the day off.’ That was his way of encouraging us to bring our best selves to our work.”

In the pre-digital era, Dineen devised a system of 3-by-5-inch cards, on which he summarized equipment purchases and issues associated with each customer’s systems to aid his company’s technicians, Harris said. On the back he’d note the customer’s birthday, his or her spouse’s name, favorite sports teams and other personal details in this portable format. Harris adopted this system and other lessons from his former boss. “I only worked for Mike for a little over a year,” Harris said. “But his training and example have stayed with me for a lifetime. Nearly 50 years later, I still have my 3-by-5 card file – and I still tell our team what Mike once told me: ‘If you’re not on your game, take the day off.’ We’ve lost an icon. Mike’s warm smile, unwavering integrity and generous spirit will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him.”

Another industry colleague, consultant Ian Bigelow, experienced Dineen as a Milnor customer. Bigelow cited Dineen’s personal touch and how that benefited his family, the industry and everyone he met. “Mike, first and foremost, was a family man,” Bigelow said. “For him, the only thing that rose to genuine importance was his family. Everything else was what you did to make family life better. After that, he was a man of faith. He was a good Irish Catholic. He was proud of his Irish heritage, and you didn’t have to know him long to discover that.”

As a business leader, Dineen had highly developed social skills, Bigelow added. “He made friends easily. He could start a conversation with anyone and at the end, he would have a new friend. He loved his work and he did it very well. He used his gregarious personality and pleasant demeanor to win over people, not just clients.”

In his work as a vendor, Bigelow credits Dineen with reinforcing an attitude at Milnor and by laundry supplier companies at large to always put customer needs first. “His was an easy and jovial presence. He loved life, so he loved people. He was generous of his time and always interested in helping. As a customer over the years, his primary interest was in the success of my laundry. He always looked at his job as an opportunity to help customers employ the best solutions. Our success was his success.”

Bigelow adds that “No one who knew Mike would have disparaging comments to say about him. He was a friend and a mentor. I will miss him. The light of the world, is noticeably brighter for him having been in it.”

Survivors include his wife Suzanne (Monday); children, Kerry (Matthew), Kevin (Erin), Brendan (Michelle), and Daniel (Kate); and eight grandchildren. A visitation was held on May 30 at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Northbrook, IL, with a funeral mass at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome gifts to the World Central Kitchen or the Chicago Food Depository.

For more on Dineen, click here to see a profile that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.