San Luis Obispo dentist Dr. Michael Colleran died at age 63 on Oct. 25, 2026, following a two-month battle with the West Nile virus, sanluisobispo.com reported. Colleran’s illness began after a late-summer visit to Anaheim, eventually progressing from flu-like symptoms and a stomach flu to neurological symptoms resembling a stroke before he was intubated and diagnosed.
Illness and Statewide Impact
According to the California Department of Public Health, Colleran was one of 29 individuals to die from the mosquito-borne illness in California in 2026, out of 502 people who tested positive statewide. The state experienced a five-year high in West Nile virus activity this summer, though the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department noted that only one person contracted the virus locally and that statewide spikes do not automatically mean uniform transmission levels across every county. The county encouraged people to protect themselves by wearing protective clothing, especially at dawn and dusk, eliminating standing water around the home, and following product label directions.
Family Life and Legacy
Colleran is remembered for his humor, kindness, intelligence, generosity, and dedication to his family. He met his wife, Cyndee, in the 1980s while they served as missionaries in Michigan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they were married for 41 years after tying the knot nine months later and moving to California. The couple shared a love of boating at Lake Shasta after Cyndee taught him how to water ski, and they adopted two children, Megan and Sean. Reflecting on his father’s character, Sean shared, He was very strong as a person,
adding that he would always attempt to keep everyone around him calm as someone they could lean on and depend upon. I just always loved how kind and funny he was,
Sean said, noting that his father would always be there to listen and give some solid advice. Cyndee recalled that He was just a fun, fun person,
while Sean noted that He was such a good dad,
adding, He’d always be joking around.
Celebration of Life and Fundraiser
Sean’s fiancée, Megan Mathews, started a fundraiser on behalf of the family, sharing, Your kindness and generosity can help give Cyndee a little more breathing room as she mourns and begins to face the days ahead.
