Mike Carey

Mike Carey

January 4 1941 - November 25 2024

Mike Carey, founding member of the Sun City Anthem Hiking and Outing Club passed away and here are the tributes from his friends in the club.

Mike, Pat and I met for the first time in October 1999.  We discussed forming a hiking club and later previewed a trip to Death Valley in December 1999.  The first club meeting was held in january 2000.  Mike was President the first 2 years of the club's existence and I was President the next 2 years.   Mike and I had a shared vision of what the hiking  and outing club could become and together we made that vision a reality.  Early on the hiking club was like family and the away trips were like family outings.  As the club got a lot bigger after our tenures as presidents, it took on more of a corporate nature with a board etc. but in the early days meetings were run like large family gatherings.  It's hard to quantify Mike's many contributions to  the club.  It was a pleasure working with him to make the club and Anthem a better place.  God Bless you and keep you Mike, and save me a place in Hiker Heaven. Steve Zorick 

I met Mike and Pat Carey in 2004 when I started hiking. I was amazed that he and Pat had recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and they inspired me to hike some of Colorado’s 14er trails. Over the years we shared many more trips and “happy trails”. 

Besides being a charter member and major contributor to the SCA Hiking & Outing Club, Mike was our club liaison with BLM and other community groups. Mike was generous of himself and volunteered on many SCA Committees and also served as a SCA Board Member. 

I could go on and on, but there just aren’t enough words to describe Mike’s positive outlook and zest for life.  It was a privilege to have been his friend and he will be missed by many.  The world and SCA are a better place because of Mike and Pat Carey.   Celeste Bové 

We are saddened to hear about Mike's passing.  Pat and he were 2 of the kindest people that we met in SCA. He was a wealth of knowledge not only with the hiking club but also with the happenings in SCA in general.  We would always ask his thoughts about board elections and anything related to SCA.  We always enjoyed gatherings at their home as they made everyone feel welcome. Both Mike and Pat have never been far from our thoughts. 

Jim and Andrea 

As a Club founder and as Pat’s husband he led us all in a good way. Fortunately, he could be near Danielle and his grandson Michael in the last couple years. Sorry to hear the news and he started much and will be remembered for being a good influence on us all! Skip (aka George) & Nita 

I may not have known Mike C. as well as many of you, however he was my neighbor, a friend and confidant, especially if I wanted to anything about SCA history. I miss his wisdom and wit; and his Halloween parties; which Jerry and Beverly Saperstein have done a wonderful job continuing.

Hopefully my thoughts and prayers follow him and give him peace. Alan Butki

A total class act. The world is diminished by his passing. He and Pat were very welcoming to Johnette and me when we first moved here, and we enjoyed sharing our Pittsburgh connection. In addition to everything else, he showed us all how to be a great spouse through his loving care of Pat. Rest in peace Mike. Richard S

Mike let me hike with the club for 6 months until the building of my SCA home was completed in 2007.  He also invited me to sit at his table for my first Christmas potluck up at the center when I knew no one in the hiking club.  Now I’m in Tennessee with 8 other former club members!  Amy I.

I thank Mike, Pat and all the founders of SCA’s hiking club for the many years of great and spectacular hiking, not to mention the many friendships forged by spending so much time together.

That’s sad news. My most vivid memory of Mike is from when we were new to SCA. He was the person we went to for advice on which Board candidates were worthy of our vote. We always trusted his opinion. 

Willis A 

We were both quite saddened by the news. It has been 4 years since they left SCA. We always enjoyed talking to Mike and I always appreciated the fact that he had done so many wonderful hikes around the world. Still he used to hike in our backyard looking after the trails going to the Black mountain. Of course we are grateful to Carey’s for founding the hiking club which has been a boon for us ever since we came to SCA. Their Halloween parties were a fun tradition with the club and still going on. He was always a wealth of hiking knowledge. May his soul rest in peace.

 Mary and Sunny E

He will be missed.  He was one of a kind.  Rest in Peace  Alan S

May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends. Susan

Such sad news. He was a well-respected and valuable member of our community and will be sadly missed.  Lori C