Michael Holmes GARRATT

1937 - 2014

GARRATT, Michael Holmes

Michael Holmes Garratt, whose love for the ocean and sailing fueled stories of adventure and inspired friends, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Zephyrhills, FL. He was 76. Born in Derby, England, on September 27 1937, Garratt's love for sailing started at a very young age after his family moved to Norwich, England. There, Garratt's lifelong love of sailing and the sea developed and continued into his later years when he competed in races in America and England. Known to his friends and coworkers as Mikie G, Garratt worked a variety of jobs throughout his career including a stint in the Royal Air Force in the late 1950s. After receiving an honorable discharge there, Garratt worked at a boat yard in Brundall, England, before relocating to America and finding employment as a cabinet maker at the Spencer Boat Company in 1969. Garratt briefly returned to the United Kingdom in 1970 to marry his longtime sweetheart, Glenda, before coming back to the United States in 1971, working for Florida Diesel and then Hypoluxo Marina as general manager. In 1975, Garratt and his wife Glenda returned to the United Kingdom to care for his ailing parents and manage the family supermarket, before returning to Florida in 1977. From this point, Garratt worked as general manager of Moffitt Inlet Marina, the general manager of the Sailfish Marina, owner/operator of a pawn shop in Riviera Beach, FL, and then to The Bluff House Beach Resort and Marina in Green Turtle Key, Bahamas. Mike finished his working life at Paper Roll Products, which is owned by another dear friend. Garratt and his wife retired to Zephyrhills, where they lived along a countryside that reminded them of their home in England. There, and throughout his entire life, Garratt and his wife Glenda made numerous friends with his fun-loving personality and stories of sailing adventures on the seas. Garratt is preceded in death by his wife, Glenda. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Sarah Waterhouse. A gathering to celebrate Mike's life is being planned in the near future.

To express condolences and/or make donations: Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries