Memorial service for Michael DeCarlo arranged for Monday morning; charter bus offered
The island lost a true earth-bound angel a few weeks ago. Michael DeCarlo, 59, of Fort Myers Beach, passed away Sept. 1. He was known to so many as one who always puts others ahead of himself, and over the decades, organized numerous Fort Myers Beach benefits for local families and islanders in need whether it was great or small.
Memorial services in his honor will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
For those who can’t, or would rather not, drive, a charter bus has been arranged, and will make three stops/pick-ups Monday morning. The schedule is very tight, so please be at your designated stop on time:
Valerie’s Lounge, 8:30 a.m.
The Mermaid Lounge, 8:45 a.m.
Junkanoo, 9 a.m.
A return trip will be made to Junkanoo after the memorial, and may also stop at either Valerie’s Lounge or The Mermaid. Those utilizing the free charter bus, donated by Wayne with American Charters, are asked to each make a $5 donation, as a tip for the driver.
Rev. Sean Critser, pastor of Beach Baptist church, will officiate the memorial service. Sean and Michael worked together often throughout the years, as several Christmas toy drive benefits and other special events Michael organized helped the children and congregation of the church.
Proceeding his memorial service, many will gather back at a local island establishment after the memorial to share stories and laugh about all of the wonderful things Michael did while he was with us.
Memorial donations have been suggested to the Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activity League, another group Michael helped raised funds for over the years.
Michael was born, June 5, 1955, in Bronx, NY, the son of Anthony and Edith (Mazza) DeCarlo. He was self-employed as a landscaper and also tended bar for Junkanoo on Fort Myers Beach. He enjoyed volunteering his time with Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activity League, Toys for Tots, and (Childrens Christmas on the Beach, “We Ride for a Reason”).
He would annually host a fundraiser and toy drive for the children at Beach Baptist Church, as well as the local children’s hospital, and he and his very good friends and family, along with Santa Claus and his crew, would head down to the hospital and hand-deliver them to each and every child in the hospital Christmas morning.
So many beach “transplants” share stories of how it was Michael who first took them under his wing, helped them find jobs, places to stay, and get their feet firmly planted in their new island lifestyle.
He was liked by many, loved by all, and will forever leave Fort Myers Beach a better place because he was such a big, wonderful part of it.
Michael is survived by his four daughters, and his brother, Dennis DeCarlo.
All are welcome to leave their condolences on Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home’s website, FortMyersMemorial.com.