Michael J. Soares

Michael J. Soares, age 75, of Wallingford passed away on July 29, 2025. For 50 years, he was the loving husband of Diane Avella Soares. Michael was born in Providence, RI, the son of the late Manuel and Frances Dias Soares. He was a proud USMC Veteran and professionally, he enjoyed his career of 28+ years working for SNET/SBC/AT&T as a computer programmer. After retirement, he continued to work as a school bus driver with DATTCO for 15 years followed by his most recent 8 years of employment at the Wallingford Senior Center, first as a van driver and a volunteer throughout the center, to most recently as transportation dispatcher. Michael was a past member of Heritage Baptist Church as a faithful servant of God, helping in many ministries for 10 years. He served as a Sunday School Bus driver, a cook for Men's Prayer Breakfast ministry, a joyful choir member, host to many overnight missionaries, and often assisted with various church projects reflecting his many talents and skills as a "jack of all trades". He was known by many as a humble, private, mysterious, kind and generous man, often playfully mischievous. His hearty outbursts of laughter and antics always kept his family, friends, and neighbors in a state of joy and happiness just to be around him. Michael, aka "Joey" by his siblings, was a faithful, loyal, loving husband who always put his wife, family and friends first. For himself, he would find refuge in reading, resting, bird-watching, gardening, window-shopping, bargain-hunting and cooking. In recent years, what gave him the most joy was spending time with and sharing wisdom with his grandchildren as well as with those who welcomed it; much of this he gained from his lifelong and extensive experience reading, traveling, the trades he worked and from those with whom he kept company. Often, he was known to be approached by and strike up conversations with complete strangers. These encounters would be remembered and shared with family and friends as interesting "adventures" from which he gained knowledge to use during his nightly participation in the televised game of Jeopardy. It was often asked of him, "Why don't you become a contestant on the show?" Mike had such a positive influence and impact on so many over his "short" lifetime that he will be missed beyond the measure of time. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his son Matthew Soares, his grandchildren, Tori, Morgan and Madison Soares, all of Wallingford, his seven siblings Ann Soares of RI, Steven Soares (and Marsha) of CA, Mary Frances "Skeet" Reed of FL, Barbara Lester (and Byron) of Bloomfield, Ina Jean Turner of NY, Patricia Clayton (and Larinzo) of East Hartford, and David "DJ" Soares of Idaho, and several nieces and nephews. Michael was also predeceased by his brother Charles "Luddy" Soares. Michael's family will receive relatives and friends at the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext. on Saturday August 9th from 10am - 1pm. Military honors will commence at the funeral home at 1pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike's name to the Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St., Wallingford CT 06492, c/o "Wallingford Committee on Aging, Inc." To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wallingfordfh.com.