Obituary for Michael ‘Mike’ Francis Carrig
Michael ‘Mike’ Francis Carrig, born June 1, 1944, in Hamptons Roads, Virginia, passed away at 6:14 am Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Mike grew up in Trenton, New Jersey where he attended Notre Dame High School, playing football, and participating in school plays. Most notable was his performance in the lead role of ‘The Merry Widow,’ sparking a life-long love of Gilbert & Sullivan comedic opera. In the summers he worked as a lifeguard at Ship-Bottom and Surf City Beaches on Long Beach Island, New Jersey and earned his pilot license at 16.
He graduated from The College Of New Jersey in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After graduation, Mike joined the Navy where he distinguished himself in the Aviation Officer Candidate Program, graduating at the top of his class in 1971.
Mike loved his career in the Navy. The Navy should have used him for all their recruiting campaigns. Throughout his career he was based at Rota Naval Base, Spain, Washington DC, and Moffett Field in California. After Officer School and Flight Training, Mike worked in various specialties, including P-3 Squad Leader, P-3 Instructor Pilot, Flag Chief Pilot West-Pac, and Aid to the Admiral. His call sign was “Sticks” since in addition to his flight bag, he carried his golf clubs on all his missions.
During his station in Washington DC. he met Linda Peer. Linda was a sophisticated United Airlines flight attendant; Mike was a hotshot Navy pilot. It was love at first sight. They married in February 1978.
After 20 years in the Navy, Mike retired in 1988 as a Lieutenant Commander. As soon as Delta Air Lines heard Mike was now a free agent, they snapped him up to fly the MD-88. Mike and the Mad Dog were a match made in heaven. In 2004 Mike retired from Delta. On his final flight the Atlanta Airport celebrated his career with water cannon salute.
Enjoying his retirement, Mike and Linda moved to Big Canoe, Georgia where they relished the mountain living. Mike was an active figure in the community: playing tennis, volunteering with the Big Canoe Fire Department, singing in the Chapel choir, and perfecting his golf game. Big Canoers all remember Mike’s 2017 member-guest golf tournament win and his incredible 18th hole chip to win, hailed “The Shot.”
Mike was loved by all who knew him. He was the life and soul of the party, never missing an opportunity to sing a tune, tell a joke, and delight his friends. We will miss him dearly and hold his memory close in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Linda M. Carrig; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and John Peterson; his son, Stephen M. Carrig; his six brothers and four sisters-in-law, Philip Carrig of Montara, CA, Dennis and Jan Carrig of East Stroudsburg, PA, Kevin and Nancy Carrig of Richmond, VA, Thomas and Donna Carrig of Sunnyvale, CA, John and Janet Carrig of Houston, TX, and Christopher Carrig of Bristol, VT; his sister, Mary Margaret Carrig of Delaware Water Gap, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Big Canoe Fire Department by following the link below.
https://bigcanoevfd.org/#8742d65f-86e8-4e50-b195-ee831f4f9d35
South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com
Mike grew up in Trenton, New Jersey where he attended Notre Dame High School, playing football, and participating in school plays. Most notable was his performance in the lead role of ‘The Merry Widow,’ sparking a life-long love of Gilbert & Sullivan comedic opera. In the summers he worked as a lifeguard at Ship-Bottom and Surf City Beaches on Long Beach Island, New Jersey and earned his pilot license at 16.
He graduated from The College Of New Jersey in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After graduation, Mike joined the Navy where he distinguished himself in the Aviation Officer Candidate Program, graduating at the top of his class in 1971.
Mike loved his career in the Navy. The Navy should have used him for all their recruiting campaigns. Throughout his career he was based at Rota Naval Base, Spain, Washington DC, and Moffett Field in California. After Officer School and Flight Training, Mike worked in various specialties, including P-3 Squad Leader, P-3 Instructor Pilot, Flag Chief Pilot West-Pac, and Aid to the Admiral. His call sign was “Sticks” since in addition to his flight bag, he carried his golf clubs on all his missions.
During his station in Washington DC. he met Linda Peer. Linda was a sophisticated United Airlines flight attendant; Mike was a hotshot Navy pilot. It was love at first sight. They married in February 1978.
After 20 years in the Navy, Mike retired in 1988 as a Lieutenant Commander. As soon as Delta Air Lines heard Mike was now a free agent, they snapped him up to fly the MD-88. Mike and the Mad Dog were a match made in heaven. In 2004 Mike retired from Delta. On his final flight the Atlanta Airport celebrated his career with water cannon salute.
Enjoying his retirement, Mike and Linda moved to Big Canoe, Georgia where they relished the mountain living. Mike was an active figure in the community: playing tennis, volunteering with the Big Canoe Fire Department, singing in the Chapel choir, and perfecting his golf game. Big Canoers all remember Mike’s 2017 member-guest golf tournament win and his incredible 18th hole chip to win, hailed “The Shot.”
Mike was loved by all who knew him. He was the life and soul of the party, never missing an opportunity to sing a tune, tell a joke, and delight his friends. We will miss him dearly and hold his memory close in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Linda M. Carrig; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and John Peterson; his son, Stephen M. Carrig; his six brothers and four sisters-in-law, Philip Carrig of Montara, CA, Dennis and Jan Carrig of East Stroudsburg, PA, Kevin and Nancy Carrig of Richmond, VA, Thomas and Donna Carrig of Sunnyvale, CA, John and Janet Carrig of Houston, TX, and Christopher Carrig of Bristol, VT; his sister, Mary Margaret Carrig of Delaware Water Gap, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Big Canoe Fire Department by following the link below.
https://bigcanoevfd.org/#8742d65f-86e8-4e50-b195-ee831f4f9d35
South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com