Charles KIGIN

KIGIN, Charles Michael 82, passed away the afternoon of September 16, 2022 at his home in Bradenton, Florida. Mike was born in Tampa, Florida to Thelma and Emmitt Kigin on May 17, 1940. A 1958 alumnus of Jesuit High School, Mike met Elsie, his loving wife of 50 years, while still a student. They married in Sacred Heart Church of Tampa in 1959 and soon welcomed two daughters, Debra and Donna. Mike attended the University of Tampa while beginning a career with the Postal Service. In 1972, they started a stable that was home to 25 horses and created a lifetime of happy memories for their children, which by then included their son, Michael. In 1992, Mike accepted a position as Postmaster of Naples, FL where he and Elsie spent the next 25 years. Most important to their lives were their children and eventually their grandchildren whom they visited at every opportunity. After Elsie's death in 2009, Mike bought a home in the mountain town of Rabun Gap, GA. Mike was too full of life and love to spend the rest of his days alone, and in 2011 he met Francesca "Honey" Bliss. They were married in 2013 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa and for the next 10 years they were inseparable, splitting time between their Florida and Georgia homes with their dog Abby. Mike enjoyed hunting, fishing, investing. He lived by the mantra "a stranger is a friend you haven't yet met." He was proud to be an American and a Catholic. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Bucs and Gators. Mike is survived by his wife, Francesca "Honey" Kigin of Bradenton, FL; and his children, Debra (and Carl) Garcia of Long Beach Island, NJ, Donna Kigin of Princeton NJ, and Michael (and Joy) Kigin of Orlando, FL; his three grandchildren, Bryan (and Sarah) Garcia, Brandon Garcia and Kaitlyn Kigin; and great-grandson, Luca Garcia. Mike was welcomed into Honey's family and is additionally survived by Erika Bloomquist and Staci (and Hugh) Scanlon, and children, Mia, Kessel, Amelia, Rachel (and Caden) Merrill. A funeral Mass will take place October 7 at 11 am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa, FL. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Mike's memory may be made to Jesuit High School (jesuittampa.org/donate) to provide the gift of education for students in need or to www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org