Michael Carton, husband, father and grandfather of the year, passed away on June 13th at the age of 71, after a courageous battle against cancer. He was best known for his unwavering loyalty and selflessness, unsurpassed by any human being that has ever walked the earth.
Mike was born on June 7, 1951, in Neptune City, NJ to J. Victor and Joan Carton. He earned a degree in psychology from the University of Charleston. As a lifelong Jersey Shore resident and regularly named top salesman, Mike became Vice President of Sales for Central Lewmar Paper Company, Trenton, during his wildly successful 30-year career.
After counting enough cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, Michael and his wife Barbara, threw out their snow shovels and moved to their favorite vacation spot, Sarasota, Florida. There, Mike continued to impress with his grace, sense of humor and ability to hit almost every fairway. He quickly made golf, tennis, pickleball and happy hour his full-time gig.
Michael loved his family and army of friends and excelled at golf, leisurely bike rides, photography, dad jokes, guitar and writing limericks for his grandson, Henry Michael. Mike could talk about how proud he was of his wife and kids all day, and often did. The man overcame many obstacles in life, but no one ever heard him complain.
Michael is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Barbara, his children Jennifer and Jeffrey and his wife Catherine Trossello, and grandson, Henry Michael, along with several siblings, cousins and countless friends. No words can express how much he will be missed, but his family takes comfort in knowing that his love, wit, humor, intelligence, and devotion will live on for generations to come.
A funeral mass will be held at the Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota on June 29th at 10:00am.