Michael Thackaberry

THACKABERRY
Michael Joseph, age 71, of Venice, Florida, passed away on October 3, 2011. He was born on May 21, 1940 in New York, New York. Michael was former Vice-President of manufacturing and on the Board of Directors at Lea & Perrins Inc. in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1961 and earned his Master's Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He taught for many years at St. Peter's College and Montclair State University. He moved to Osprey, Florida in 1984 where he established several businesses until his retirement in 2004. He was an avid sailor and was a member of the Venice Sailing Squadron where he served as Commodore in 1992, St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Southbay Yacht & Racquet Club where he also served as the Marina Director and taught navigation classes. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a navigator on reconnaissance aircraft based in Rota, Spain. Michael is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 49 years, Joan; a son, Brian (Jacquelyn) Thackaberry of Purcellville, Virginia; two daughters, Brenda (Thomas) Nye of Burlington, Connecticut, Jennifer (Stephen) Zeigler of Valparaiso, Indiana; a sister, Barbara Pompa of New York City, New York and four grandchildren. Michael was preceded in death by his brother, Harold in 1992. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Epiphany Cathedral on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10 AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238 or to the Southeastern Guide Dogs, 1618 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Florida is handling the arrangements. To send condolences visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.