Michael Muckle

Mike, a Lopez Island, WA, resident for 14 years, passed away peacefully on February 1st at Lighthouse Memory Care facility in Anacortes, where he had been living for the past 2 years. Susan Muckle, his wife of 27 years, and two of his children were at his side. Mike was born in the city of Romford, England, in 1934, the son of Jack and Ivy Muckle. Although it included air raid sirens and nights sleeping in the family's back yard shelter during WW II, Mike had a happy childhood. He was the oldest son in a large, loving family with his parents and brothers Max and Jack, and sisters Peggy and Lynda. From a young age he was energetic and active, happiest when playing sports and learning new skills. From his Dad, a builder, and other family members, he grew up learning carpentry, painting, wallpapering and welding, and during the difficult post-war years in England, he went to work for his dad to help the family. British sports cars soon became a major activity as well, buying, fixing up, driving and selling post-war MGs, and (wistfully) following the Formula One race season.
Most of Mike's career was in the car rental business, starting as manager of the 1st Budget rent-a-car franchise in the UK. Budget brought him to the US in 1968, where he continued to work for the corporation, later owning several franchises. For 10 years, he lived in New Jersey with his first wife and children Richard, Liz, and Sue. During his second marriage, Mike lived in Vermont then Charlottesville VA with his wife, son Stephen, and stepson, Matt, where he started a painting and wallpapering business. Following divorce, he and teenage son Steve continued to live in Charlottesville for several years and Mike joined a local tennis club. It was there that he met Susan, a retired schoolteacher, who shared his passion for the game. They quickly became friends on and off the court and were happily married from 1996-2023.
Mike was a kind and gentle man who had many talents and skills, an infectious enthusiasm for everything, a can-do approach to life's challenges, and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved America and became a citizen. but was always an Englishman at heart.
During Mike's retirement, his love of tennis continued, and he at last had the opportunity to fulfill his life-long dream of car racing. For 10 years he and Susan went to regional races, where his vintage Lotus Super-7 and a British Turner provided many exciting and happy afternoons on the track and an occasional podium finish. But as both Mike and his cars began to age, it was time for another change. Family members introduced Mike and Susan to Washington's San Juan Islands, and they moved to Lopez in 2008. Boating, tennis, eagle-watching, and many happy times with grandchildren, family, and visitors filled their days until, sadly, dementia began to curtail Mike's activities. The family is very grateful for the compassionate care Mike received at Lighthouse in his last months.
Mike is survived by his wife, Susan Wildman Muckle; children: Richard Muckle, Elizabeth Kenyon (Gary Nowacki), Susan Kenyon (Peter Amory), Stephen Muckle (Lisa Kain); and grandchildren: Curtis and Justine Amory; stepchildren: Diane Farineau, Peter Wildman (Lisa Wildman), David Wildman (Anita Disney), Carolyn McGown (Bill McGown) and grandchildren: Isabelle, Kirby, Katie, Chris, Camilla and Aiden, Lucy and Phoebe. He is also survived by his dear sister, Lynda Thomas, and many nieces and nephews in the UK; He was pre-deceased by his parents, beloved sister Peggy, and brothers Max and Jack. We're grateful to have had him in our lives this long, and he will be greatly missed.
A family celebration of Mike's life will take place in Charlottesville, VA on March 19th. Susan and Mike's children will then fly to the UK for a memorial gathering with English family members later in March. His ashes will be scattered near his childhood home. There will also be an informal event on Lopez Island in the Spring.
Remembrances in Michael's name may be mailed to LIFRC [Lopez Island Family Resource Center, 23 Pear Tree Lane, Lopez Island, WA 98261]. Mike enjoyed seeing his grandchildren participate in many of LIFRC's summer activities through the years, and he was a long-time supporter of LIFRC.
To share memories of Mike, please sign the online guest register and bookmark this link .