Michael Tormey

Michael Shane Tormey July 6, 1933 – May 11, 2017 Thursday evening, May 11, 2017 Michael Tormey died gently at home in his bed, in the company of Carol, his wife of nearly 62 years. All who knew him are grateful that he was spared further decline into Alzheimer’s Dementia, though he retained his courtesy, easy smile and interest in people right to the end. In addition to his wife, Carol Mixter Tormey and daughter Kathleen Rochester (Chris) of Corvallis, OR, he leaves daughters Sharon Schwartz (Alan) of Chattanooga, TN, Ellen Smith (Chuck) of Englewood, NJ and son Grant Tormey (Beth Cheney) soon to be in the San Francisco area. He was always interested in hearing about his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, across the globe from Berlin to Oregon: Katherine, Christopher (Katie Sheridan) and Eleanor Rochester, Kirsten Culbertson, Jason Montana, Ari and Jared Schwartz, Brianne, Casey and Dion Smith and Kate and Claire Tormey. He was able to understand, and very pleased to know Casey had produced a first great grandchild, Cameron James Gibson, in July 2015. He was sad that he never got to meet Cam, or the seven step-great and three great, great grandkids Sharon and Alan recently reconnected with in Minnesota. Thinking of Dad, the word “enthusiast” comes to mind. He gave his whole heart and mind to his interests: his family, other people he worked and played with, advancing in his 35-year marketing career with IBM, his serial passions for diving, boxing, dancing, skiing, golf, poker, sailing, college basketball, woodworking, photography and planning his travels. He was born in Oxnard, California and grew up in Menlo Park, graduating from Sequoia Union HS. He chose his father’s alma mater, Stanford University (class of ’54, Economics) where he enjoyed his fraternity, Alpha Tau chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. Two summers spent on a surveying crew in Alaska were highlights. Air Force Service in 1954-55 was disappointing because he was not allowed to learn to fly but did perfect his typing! He relished his brief membership in the Bohemian Club in San Francisco, when he was a young IBM salesman in the late 1950s. He and Carol met as young teens in a church youth group, but only started dating after they were on separate sides of San Francisco Bay, while Carol Mixter was enjoying college life at Berkeley (class of ’55). When they married, June 21, 1955, Carol had rarely been out of California but that was about to change! A baby on the way precipitated a change of plans and rather than go to Harvard for an MBA, Dad went out and found a job with IBM. His mother-in-law said she never saw anyone so focused on finding the right situation. Giving new meaning to the idea of the “traveling salesman,” Dad was able to pursue his enthusiasm for other places and cultures thanks to “Big Blue.” New York in 1962 was almost as exotic as later IBM assignments in Geneva, Switzerland, Sydney, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand from the mid ‘60s through early ‘70s. Though it wasn’t always easy, IBM (I’ve Been Moved) gave his family an indelible, global perspective and thrilling travel opportunities. The family put down some roots in Briarcliff Manor NY from the mid ‘70s to mid ‘80s but Michael never stopped traveling for IBM – working in almost every country in Latin America and Asia in those years. His final assignment, as General Manager for IBM China ended witnessing events at Tiananmen Square in 1989 – impressions he wrote and spoke about for years. After becoming a Rotarian during his early ‘70s assignment as IBM Thailand General Manager, he helped found a Rotary Club in Briarcliff Manor, NY and continued very active Rotary participation through the rest of his career. In retirement in Waynesville, NC, in 2002 he led a Rotary project producing a community-built playground, leading to a proud moment as Grand Marshal of that year’s town festival parade. Over the years he also worked hard for the Campaign for Stanford, the Briarcliff NY Congregational Church, HART Theatre and Folkmoot in Waynesville, NC, Weston, Connecticut’s AFS chapter and many other volunteer organizations. He and Carol chose western North Carolina for retirement, staying on in Waynesville (1990-2014) after his two-year professional woodworking course at Haywood Community College was over. He plunged into woodworking with his usual enthusiasm, hoping for a second career as a furniture maker, even working at Lowe’s to get an employee discount on equipment! Although this ambition was cut short by an eye problem, he was able to make over the hillside home in Waynesville where they enjoyed over 20 years surrounded by his craft. There was still lots of traveling, including his bucket-list trips to Alaska and Ireland (to find the Tormey roots in County Galway) and many trips to see kids and grandkids from Massachusetts to Brussels. In early 2014, when his needs made it impossible to continue independently, they moved to Corvallis, to be near Kathleen’s family. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Donald James and Rosemary Samuels Tormey, and his older brother Peter Inman Tormey. Travel on in peace, Dad. Memories of Michael may be shared with Carol and family on line at http://www.mchenryfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Michael-Tormey or by writing to her at Regency Park Place, her assisted living residence: 2595 NE Jack London St., Apt. A10, Corvallis, OR 97330. The family suggests memorial contributions to one of Rotary International’s projects: https://www.rotary.org/en/donate There will be a family and friends lunch party to share memories of Michael Tormey on Saturday, August 5, in Atherton, California. Kathleen Rochester and Carol Tormey will be travelling from Oregon to the Bay Area and Pacific Grove from August 3-9. If you would like to attend the gathering on August 5 or see Carol in California, please contact Kathleen: 541 231 5303 or kathleen.rochester@gmail.com for details.

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Michael Tormey

July 6, 1933 - May 11, 2017