Michael Edward Vacek

Michael Edward Vacek, Jr., 44, passed away on February 4, 2026 while doing two things he dearly loved, work and skiing. While on a business trip to Lake Placid, Mike sustained injuries from an accidental fall on an Olympic ski run on Whiteface Mountain.

In 2024, Mike secured his dream job as president and partner at Atlanta Beverage Company but he took a while to get there.

Mike grew up in Albany, NY where he attended Guilderland High School. To this day, Mike has maintained a number of close friendships from his days in Upstate. He loved the area and was particularly fond of Saratoga Race Course and Fonda Speedway, two places where he spent lots of time with his father and brothers. Both tracks would spark a lifelong love of racing.

Following graduation Mike went south and enrolled in Vanderbilt University. Mike thrived in Nashville, a city that truly felt like a second home. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an avid Commodore fan. While in college, Mike got his first taste of the beer business working for Ajax Turner and he never looked back. Out of college he turned that into a full time job with Anheuser-Busch launching a career and livelihood that came to define him. Mike LOVED the beer business. While with Anheuser-Busch, Mike lived in Nashville, Knoxville, Charlotte, New York City, and Richmond, making countless friends along the way. Making friends was his business and he embodied that like nobody else. During this time he earned his MBA at the University of Notre Dame, yet another school to cheer for.

Mike joined Adams Beverages in 2015 and packed his bags for Tuscaloosa, AL. He went to Tuscaloosa to cut his teeth. There, he was a jack of all trades and he ended up mastering most of them. He did everything from picking beer to driving a truck. There was nothing he wouldn't do to make the business successful. Mike transferred to Charlotte and this time he started planting roots. His Charlotte friends meant the world to him and the stories will last a lifetime.

The friends, however, were just the beginning. Mike met his beloved wife, Ann Wyatt, and they married in 2023. With Ann Wyatt in his life Mike really started to shine. Mike and Ann Wyatt shared many things including the love for their dog, Lady, and skiing which helped them pick the Utah mountains for their wedding.

After a thorough interview process, Mike was delighted to accept the position at Atlanta Beverage Company. The newlyweds moved to Atlanta where they made wonderful friends both in their new neighborhood and the new job. Mike jumped right into pricing strategy, routes and prioritizing customers. In Atlanta, at ABC, and with Ann Wyatt was right where Mike needed to be.

Along the way he made friends who he valued and respected and felt honored to work alongside. Mike loved the sight of a beer truck making a delivery and always made time for a quick sample with a friend. Mike had best friends everywhere but no one compared to his best friend and brother, Tim. Mike adored him.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Mike Vacek, Sr. and brother, Tom. He is survived by his wife, Ann Wyatt (Little), mother Maureen, and brother Tim (Megan), nieces Turner and Charlotte Vacek, McCall and Campbell Little, and nephew, Louis Little.

Mike's memorial mass will be Friday, February 27th at 9:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. A celebration of life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.