Thanking the deceased

Recently I found an online obituary for a past coworker named Mike. When I first worked with him I got the impression he was a bully. He was a big, intimidating and I had several issues with him early on. At the time I heard rumors that Mike had been in prison for some awful crimes, little could I have guessed that he would end up giving some of the biggest help that I've ever received.

I never had to chance to thank Mike in life, he took his own life a short time after helping me on two occasions and now has been gone for well over a decade. There were no condolences on his online obituary. I decided to leave a short note of thanks for what he had done. The next morning I got up and walked away from the kitchen table and was startled by a penny falling into my shoe. I thought maybe it was Mike showing he received the message.

Anyone else ever had situation where they've thanked someone who passed away?