Michael J. Carroll, 69, Massena

MASSENA -- Michael J. Carroll, 69, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Massena Memorial Hospital.

Mike was born November 12, 1954, in Massena, the middle child of the late John P. “Jack” and Elaine (Fregoe) Carroll.

He grew up in a close and loving home and spent his youth playing sports, especially hockey, and adventuring around town with his friends and older brother.

Mike graduated from Holy Family High School in 1972, where he excelled at athletics, playing varsity hockey and football, and made many lifelong friends.

After high school, Mike first enrolled at SUNY Potsdam, where he scored the first goal at the new Maxcy Ice Arena in 1972 as a member of the club hockey team, a statistic from his hockey career he was always proud to share.

Mike would go on to transfer to Clarkson University, graduating in 1976 with a B.S. in Accounting.

After college, Mike worked for a time for St. Lawrence Gas Company before returning to SUNY Potsdam to obtain his M.S.T. in Teaching, which he received in 1983.

Mike taught fourth grade at Twin Rivers Elementary School from 1984-1986. Mike joined the staff of Clarkson University in 1986 and would go on to enjoy a successful career in the university’s human resources department until his retirement in 2008.

On August 17, 1990, he married Shelley Ann McCormick at his parents’ home in Massena on a picture-perfect summer afternoon. The couple enjoyed a happy and devoted marriage of 33 years.

Though Mike enjoyed an active life and many friends, it was clear to all who knew him that his greatest commitment was to his family. Mike and Shelley had two children, their son, Matthew, born in 1991, and their daughter, Mikaela, born in 1995.

Mike’s world revolved around his wife and children, and the family enjoyed travels to South Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and many other places throughout the United States. Mike also deeply loved his family’s two dogs, Neeka and Cali, who were his constant companions during his retired life.

Mike had a lifelong passion for playing and watching sports. In addition to playing high school varsity hockey and club hockey in college, Mike played in Old Timers’ hockey leagues in Massena through his entire adult life.

One of Mike’s favorite places was the golf course at Massena Country Club, where he enjoyed playing in night leagues for many years and organizing an annual tournament in memory of a friend. Mike rarely missed the chance to meet his friends for a round of golf and followed tournaments closely on television.

Mike was an ardent supporter of the New York Giants and the Atlanta Braves, though his heart was especially dedicated to his Detroit Red Wings, his all-time favorite team in his all-time favorite sport.

Mike also deeply enjoyed coaching minor hockey, particularly his son’s teams throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In addition to his work for Massena Minor Hockey, Mike was also a member of the Massena Country Club, in addition to Elks Post No. 1702 where he could reliably be found enjoying a beer with friends on Wednesday night.

Above all, Mike’s ambition in life was to be a supportive husband, a loving father, a dependable brother, a loyal friend, and a person who was kind and sincere to everyone he met. In all respects, he achieved these goals.

His calm and steady demeanor, dry sense of humor, and warm nature will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Shelley, of the home; his son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Christina Carroll of New York, NY; his daughter, Mikaela Carroll and fiancé, Nicholas Johnson of Massena; his brother, Dan and Sue Carroll of Cary, NC; his sister, Joanne Williams, of Pittsfield, Mass.; his nephews, Brian (Liz) Carroll, Nick Carroll, Jonathan (Sara) Williams, Donnie McCormick III, and Steven (Natasha) McCormick, his niece, Lisa Williams, great-nephews, Torin McCormick, Zachary and Ryan Carroll and a great-niece, Olivia Carroll.

He was predeceased by his parents, many aunts and uncles, and a cherished great-niece, Kaeli McCormick.

Friends may call the Phillips Memorial Home, Massena on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday May 21, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to Massena Minor Hockey, Massena Humane Society; P.O. Box 145, Massena, New York 13662, Massena Elks Lodge No. 1702; 20 Bowers Street, Massena, NY 13662, and American Heart & Stroke Association at www.heart.org

Family and friends are encouraged to share memorial trees, photos and condolence by visiting, www.PhillipsMemorial.com.