Michael “Mike” T. Carey

Michael “Mike” T. Carey of Vallejo passed away at the age of 65 after a brief illness on Monday, August 8, surrounded by family. He will be deeply missed by all who experienced his sharp wit and active sense of humor and admired his fierce independence. Mike was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Scott T. Carey, at the time an Air Force pilot, and Margaret (Willard) Carey. Upon the conclusion of his father’s military service, Mike and his family moved back to the Bay Area, where his mother and father were born and raised. After graduating from Campolindo High School in Moraga, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of California, Berkeley in 1978.

Mike earned a commission in the US Navy as a Naval Aviation Officer later that year, eventually becoming an Admiral’s Aide and sparking a lifetime of love for the ocean.

Following his honorable discharge from service, he joined the family business Cornish & Carey Commercial in 1982, where during 16 years of employment he created the iconic brokerage’s property management division and was an industry pioneer in the implementation of computer technology in real estate.

He taught himself to code in multiple programming languages and changed careers in 1996, becoming a programmer and spending the next two decades working for large corporations and as a freelance consultant.

He again changed tack in 2006, joining a full-service landscaping company where he served as CFO and obtained a California Contractor’s License before his eventual retirement. Mike astounded family and friends with his many diverse talents and hobbies. He loved to build things and work with his hands, and was equally deft with a soldering iron and motherboard as he was with a miter saw. His ultimate passion was sailing: he purchased and self-renovated a dilapidated sailboat which became host to many fond memories with family and friends. When his freedom of mobility was taken from him in an accident ten years ago, he began entertaining himself by purchasing online, repairing, and reselling various electronics, from radios to servers. He loved to read, watch films, and discuss politics, and was always the first in his family to adopt an emerging technology.

Mike is survived by his son, Cole T. Carey of San Rafael, mothers Susan Carey of Portola Valley and Margaret (Peggy) Willard Beaty of Walnut Creek, brothers Dennis Carey of Da Nang and Jeff Beaty of Concord, sister Sara Pollastrini of Walnut Creek, uncle Peter Carey of Palo Alto, and his beloved dog Guinness.

A celebration of his life will be held later. Donations in Mike’s name may be sent to the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors at http:// www.baads.org/donate/.