Michael Mike Stuart

1957 - 2023

Michael Stuart. 1957 - 2023. Michael 'Mike' Stuart departed on April 18, 2023, age 66, at the Hospice House of Humboldt in the loving presence of his wife, Bethel. Born in New Orleans as the youngest of three, Mike grew up surrounded by family in the city named the birthplace of jazz, a genre of music that followed him throughout his life. After graduating from Brother Martin High School, he attended the University of New Orleans to earn his Bachelor of Arts Degree, specializing in silk screen printing. He also studied for his paralegal certification which became his career for many years to follow. As a founding member of the Gentilly Brass Band, Mike played the clarinet with his honorary brother Armand "Sheik" Richardson, marching in second lines each weekend. They celebrated everything from weddings to jazz funerals. In 1991, Mike and Bethel moved from New Orleans LA to Alameda CA to pursue life on the west coast. In 2000, they relocated to Ferndale CA to establish a peaceful lifestyle among the Redwoods at the Pacific coast. Here he chose a career as an organic produce clerk at the North Coast Co-op for 22 years until retirement. Throughout his life, Mike excelled in his focused interests, including screen printing, photography, cycling and meteorology. He was affectionately known as the weatherman in everyone's life he touched. At the ocean or in the garden, Mike embraced life by connecting with nature. In his chosen home of Ferndale, as a CA native plant enthusiast, Mike advocated for native plants through action: helping to restore the Samoa dunes and wetlands (Friends of the Dunes) and establishing native gardens at the bocce courts and pedestrian bridge garden in Ferndale. Mike is survived by his wife, Bethel Laborde and stepdaughter Leela, brother Thomas Casey Stuart of New Orleans LA, sister Jean S. Bossetta of River Ridge LA and brother-in-law Patrick T. Bossetta, nephews Kenneth J. Bossetta and Stephen B. Stuart, nieces Melissa B. Russo MD. and Elizabeth S. Centanni. Mike was the son of the late Thomas H. Stuart and Bonnie Casey Stuart. If you would like to consider a donation in memory of Mike Stuart, please consider the Hospice House of Humboldt, providing compassionate end of life care with comfort and dignity. A memorial will be held in Ferndale CA at a later date to be determined. The Gentilly Brass Band will honor his memory with a Jazz Funeral on Mardi Gras Day 2024, a New Orleans Tradition.