Edward Michael Carney

He whistled a tune wherever he went because music was his first and favorite language. Edward Michael Carney III, known to his friends as "Mike" and "Mice" to his family, was a gifted musician and he shared that gift generously with others. Whether he was playing for a party at the White House, which he did 11 times for the Ford, Bush, and Reagan administrations, or entertaining patients each week at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York City, Michael spread joy through his music. As the pianist and owner of the Michael Carney Orchestra, Mike was a coveted musical presence at innumerable society and charity events where dignitaries, officials, and socialites gathered. Described in the New York Daily News in 1981 as "the most sought-after dance leader today", Michael played up to 175 performances a year, traveling across the United States and abroad. A favorite at society weddings and debutante balls, Mike was known for his stylized dance tunes that he called "dancing jazz". To the delight of his audiences, he played the piano while crooning along to his unique musical arrangements. Mike and his orchestra also distinguished themselves as the band that never took a break or stopped playing until the party was over.

A 1959 graduate of Northwestern University, Mike was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and graduated with a degree in economics. Mike often told the story of enhancing his GPA in his senior year by taking only music courses. His genius as a musician was evident even as a child when he was often found seated at the Steinway in his parent's home. In grade school he was dismissed from piano lessons because his teacher said he was already so gifted, there was nothing more she could teach him. At 14, Mike first became an orchestra leader, performing for parties in his hometown of Irvington, NY. As a young man, Mike worked at the Madison Beach Hotel in Madison, CT, the Carney family's beloved summer home, where he worked as a server by day and played music to entertain guests in the evening. Mike never took his musical gifts for granted and, following a brief career as a Wall Street financial analyst in the early 1960's, first at Butcher and Sherrerd and later at R. W. Pressprich & Co., he decided to dedicate his life to music in 1967. Over the course of his successful career, Mike performed in 130 American cities, 40 States, and 11 different countries. Among Mike's professional highlights was performing several times at Versailles Palace for Le Grand Bal to benefit the American Friends of Versailles in France. One of his favorite musical adventures was the time he performed at a private party abord a yacht touring the Mediterranean. While the party attendees were celebrating in Ephesus, Turkey, Diana Ross arrived by helicopter as a surprise guest to continue the evening's musical entertainment after The Michael Carney Orchestra had played.

Although Mike's vocation in life was music, he also enjoyed tennis, for which he was known for his "wicked slice." He was unfailingly generous in his philanthropy; he served as a Trustee for the Boys Club of New York and the Northwestern University School of Music. He also frequently performed at benefits for non-profit organizations, including The Metropolitan Opera, Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boodles Club Centennial Gala in London, The Choral Arts Society in Washington, DC, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Children's Hospital in San Diego, CA, and many more. As a result of his travels, Mike had friends around the country, and he was a member of a variety of clubs where he enjoyed socializing and sharing interests. He maintained current memberships in Palm Beach, FL with the Bath and Tennis Club and Society of the Four Arts. He was also a former member of The River Club of New York, Meadow Club of Southampton, NY, Palm Beach Crocodiles, and the famous Bohemian Club, where he gathered with world leaders and intellectuals from around the county.

In 1997, after many years as a peripatetic bachelor, Michael's life changed forever when he married his wife, Lisa Marshall. Together Mike and Lisa enjoyed a life in which travel for musical "gigs" was anchored and balanced by time spent between their homes in New York City, NY and Palm Beach, FL.

In the last several years of his life, as his health and abilities waned, Mike continued to find joy, purpose, and an anchor to life in his music. Always good natured and cheerful, he played the piano every day until his death, entertaining family and friends in Palm Beach. When listening to his favorite music, he would snap his fingers, whistle along, and comment on the great beat of the music.

Michael lived to be 87 years old and passed away on June 17, 2025, in Palm Beach, FL, with his beloved wife Lisa at his side. Michael is also survived by his siblings, each of whom Michael always referred to by their family nicknames, Alexander "Sandy" Carney (Jo) of Pennington, NJ, Douglas "Skippy" Carney (Ginny), of Yarmouth, ME, Gary "Gar" Carney (Kelly) of Orefield, PA, and Gae "Two Doors" Riddleberger (Bill) of Myrtle Beach, SC. "Uncle Mice" was also devoted to his nieces and nephews, filling his home with photos of his ever-expanding family. His surviving nieces and nephews include Toby, Kevin and Eric Riddleberger, Jill and Ryan Carney, Alex, Julie, and Annie Carney, and Kevin, Mitchell, and Molly Carney, as well as their children, Michael's great nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jacqueline Soutar Carney and Edward Michael Carney, Jr, as well as his brother, Kevin Farrell Carney.

A private Memorial service will be held for the family this Fall and Michael will be interred at Gate of Heaven cemetery in Hawthorne, NY, where he will be laid to rest alongside beloved members of the Carney family. Later this year, there will be a celebration of life in Palm Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys Club of New York or Northwestern University Bienen School of Music.

While Michael will be missed by his family, friends, and those who danced and sang along with his innumerable musical performances, we trust that the joy of his music will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Moreover, we suspect that there is one fabulous dance party going on in heaven as Mike is reunited with those who have gone before him.