Michael Alan Carroll

May 16, 1951 - December 11, 2021

Michael Alan Carroll died Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Fort Myers, Florida after a short battle with lung cancer.  He was 70 years young.

Mike was born in Ithaca, NY, son of Wilmar and Verna Ford Carroll.  He graduated from Ithaca High School (Class of 1969) as a National Merit Scholarship winner where he was on the wrestling and track teams.  He graduated from Kent State University in 1973 with a B.A degree, completing his freshman year off-campus due to the May 4 shootings.  He was a free-spirit, attending Woodstock, and following his love of music.

Mike was a hard working individual, starting with a paper route in the Fall Creek area, repairing vehicles at his family’s tire store, and continuing in adulthood as an antique dealer, Pepperidge Farm franchise owner, taxi driver, and restorer of his home (the former Rawson Hollow Inn in Berkshire/Speedsville).  He repaired/repurposed whatever he could, even driving his well by hand for his home.  Mike was an avid reader, rarely missing a Jeopardy question; he had a love of poker.

The true love of his life was sailing, inherited from his grandfather, Pete Ford of Trumansburg.  He started on Cayuga Lake with his sailing vessel “Sturdy Logic”.  He had sailed on many solo trips to Columbia, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic (Luperon), Panama, and Florida Keys and eventually became a resident of the open water, living on his boat full time for the last 10 years.  During COVID, he spent much of the time in Cape Coral, Florida with his family.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Steve. 

He is survived by his heart-broken sister, Pat Howard; dedicated brother-in-law, Neal Howard; nieces and their spouses, Tracy and Dan Lorenzini and Alicia and Mike Turner; great nephews and nieces, Austin, Sierra, Dominic and Vanessa; lifelong friends to whom he was fiercely loyal:  Jay, Priscilla, Derick, Sharene, Karen, Carol, Len, Mary, and Dillya. 

Private services will be celebrated with family and friends on the water, returning him to the sea, while playing his favorite song, “Free Bird”. 

Memorial Contributions in memory of Michael Alan Carroll are suggested to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100 N., Bethesda, MD 20814.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Lois Ann Piskorz Dec 21, 2021 at 4:39 am

    I met Michael this past October. He was a kind, quiet, intelligent man. A free spirit indeed. A beautiful story of his life of which I knew little other than his love of the sea. May the winds sail you to peace Michael.

  2. Rick Smith Dec 22, 2021 at 5:44 am

    I met Mike 5-6 years ago when I sailed into Port Antonio with my wife Nancy. We became friends instantly. Mike had many friends in Jamaica and in the eight months I was there he introduced me to them all. I have fond memories meeting Derick, Sharene and Dillya while there. We kept in contact and for two hurricane seasons Mike came to Guatemala where we would occasionally discuss the medicinal benefits of rum while solving the problems of the world.
    All while sitting in the cockpits of our boats overlooking the beautiful waters of Jamaica or Guatemala.
    Mike and I would water ski and wakeboard together on the Rio Dulce. Mike was a very capable and skilled sailor! I had MOUNTAINS of respect for his abilities and experience in this regard. Mike will be truly missed by Nancy and I, a whole has been left in our hearts.

  3. Carol and Len Lavenda Dec 22, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    We have been friends with Mike for a very long time and have always treasured our relationship.

    Carol has known Mike since he delivered the Ithaca Journal to her home as a child. Len first met Mike soon after he started dating Carol in the early ‘70s.

    We spent time with Mike in Ithaca and Vermont as well as sailing on the Sturdy Logic on Cayuga Lake and around The Bahamas and St Martin.

    Over the past few years we corresponded with Mike during his travels and learned a lot from his stories about meeting interesting people and visiting interesting places.

    We were fortunate to see Mike this past summer when he came to Pennsylvania for a visit and to share the news about his health. We were devastated but intent on making sure his visit was full of “quality time.”

    Mike was a wonderful friend. Always thoughtful and caring. Never demanding but never short of an opinion or a new idea worth considering. He was talented, smart, and had a great sense of humor. Although not especially outgoing, he knew how to start a conversation and keep it going.

    We have have been holding onto Mike’s bass guitar since he departed Ithaca for his grand sailing journey. It serves as a reminder of good times together when he and Carol jammed Cheap Trick’s “Surrender.”

    We will always remember Mike. He brought much joy into our lives.

  4. derick w crump Dec 24, 2021 at 8:40 am

    I realize I have known Mike for almost 50 years. When I was in Peace Corps in Africa, Mike and Karen came to visit. They came and visited again while they were cruising the Caribbean. Mike made Port Antonio his home, and stayed here 6 months every year. He was a good friend and someone you could always talk to. We will miss you Mike! It is time for you to sail off into the sunset.
    Derick and Sherene

  5. Patricia Stillwell Mims Dec 24, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    Mike was someone I admired for his ability to leave a “normal” life and sail away. I remember his antique store and the 200-year-old inn he helped to remodel. His participation in the Thriller flash mob dance was fun to watch. He was a joy and should have been here many more years.

  6. David Cedarbaum Dec 25, 2021 at 12:59 am

    Fair thee well Mike. I thought you’d live forever. We were neighbors in Ludlowville. You gave me a job at Nothing New. We had some long voyages together and a few beers. I’ll miss you.

  7. Mike Smith Dec 28, 2021 at 11:02 am

    Pat, so sorry for your loss.

  8. John Pearson Dec 29, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a good man.

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