It is with a very heavy heart that we announce Michael F. Yates has passed away. Not only was he our fearless leader and boss, but he was also a friend, loved one, confidant, mentor, second father and family member. He was kind, compassionate, giving, funny, smart, strong, supportive, and a devoted catholic. He loved flying, politics, his business, his Weimaraners and most importantly his family.
We are honoring Michael this month since this Newsletter was his baby. He loved providing you with the most current information to help you along your work journeys, so we wanted to honor him this month and give you insight into Michael, the man, businessman and family man.
Michael took care of his mother and siblings since he was the oldest and his dad passed away when Mike was about 16. At a very young age he began working and then put himself through college while working two jobs. Despite working two job and taking care of his family, he still managed to get straight A’s. He was very proud of that accomplishment.
He met Christine and they had two children, both married now with families of their own, making him a grandfather of three. He doted over them for his family was everything to him. He truly would do anything for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was so proud when they graduated college and began their life journeys.
He loved his dogs. There have been a few over the past 24 years since Michael F. Yates & Company, Inc. was founded in 1997. There was Gretchen, Margot, and currently Dagmar who will miss her daily walks with him. All were impressively trained. Dagmar even knows how to put her toys away at night and helps throw out the recycling bottles.
Michael loved Lionel trains and he was very proud of all those he collected over the years so much so that he built a loft to display them. He loved aviation and was happiest when he was flying his airplane. He loved bird watching, antiquing and fast cars. He always looked forward to taking his staff out every year for a Christmas feast and we would always close the place down.
Michael was incredibly generous. He would donate to just about any community fund raiser. He believed in the Boy Scouts of America of which he and Christine purchased many containers of popcorn and donated to Eagle Scout projects. He contributed to his local PBA and NRA. In 2005 he took 100 Veterans and their families to Washington DC for a WWII thank you trip. MFYCO was the main sponsor of the Sussex-Warren Society for Human Resources Chapter. He was a board member of the Washington Borough Business Improvement District, the local organization that improves the town where his office building calls home. In 2017 the Washington Historical Society presented Micheal with an award for preserving our office building that was built in the 1800s. He was an avid supporter of the Republican Party and was a member of the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Better Business Bureau. He would even gather friends and join in the festivities at local movie theaters or dance nights at the local fire house fundraisers.
He was a big believer in education. He embraced Saints Philip and James School and helped them for many years with a sponsorship at their Carnival. He loved our local community college, Warren County Community College, where he sat on the Board so he could inspire young minds. He also served on the board at our local polytechnic school. He was a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. He was also a member of the Global Association Pension Services which he was very proud of. He gave out scholarships to children at a local middle school every year at graduation. He supported his staff with any outside learning they wanted to do. He never said no to paying for a webinar, seminar, or conference. Jessica earned her MBA last month thanks to Michael's support.
These are just a few of the memories we have of Michael. We could write a book with all the memories, stories, and his amazing accomplishments. This week we have heard many stories of how Mike has touched lives. If you would like to share a story, we would love to hear it. Please respond to this email, call us, or post on Facebook. We would love to hear from you. We all need to smile and laugh right now.
As incredible as Michael was, Christine was the glue that held him together. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary and she supported him throughout all his endeavors. Christine, her family, and everyone at MFYCO want to thank everyone for their love and support over the years and especially during this difficult time. Michael’s clients were everything to him and although we are all deeply saddened, we will continue on in his name. It’s what he wanted.
Michael’s funeral will be held at 11:00 am Friday September 30th at St. Ann’s Church 32 Main Street, P.O. Box 405, Hampton, NJ 08827. Repast to follow at Hawke Point Golf Club, 4 Clubhouse Drive, Washington, NJ 07882. The family is asking donations be made in lieu of flowers to their church for all the good work they do. If you would like to donate, please mail a check to St. Ann’s at the address above. They are unable to accept donations online. Please put in memory of Michael Yates on the memo line.
We offer the following prayer for Mike’s family, loved ones and friends: Abba Father, You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
