Michael Dean Farage

Michael Dean Farage, born October 1, 1947 in Kansas City,

Missouri to Ralph Carlton Farage and Patsy Ruth Andrus Farage.

He was the eldest of four, which included sisters Vicki and

Jeanette and a brother Gary. As a child Michael lived in Missouri,

Arizona and California. He attended Arroyo Grande High School

graduating in 1966. He joined the Navy and was a helicopter

rescue crewman. He married Diana Mankins, and had two sons,

Michael and Kevin. He then married Sharon Dean Cassera. They

were married for 38 years until his death.

Michael had quite the work history. He was the manager for San

Luis Mill and Lumber, a lumber broker in Southern California,

owner of Can-Am Lumber, and a partner in Porterville Truss and

Lumber. After he obtained his Contractor license he ventured off

into a new world of cell phone tower construction.

He was an avid surfer in his younger days and had numerous

trophies to show for his skill. He loved the ocean and was a

proficient Hobie Cat 16 sailor. Michael had a monohull sailboat

that wintered in the Morro Bay Marina and summered in Avila

Beach. He enjoyed many fun days sailing.

Michael and Sharon spent their retirement years traveling. They

spent three and a half months traveling to Alaska pulling a 21

foot travel trailer along with his dog Marmaduke, a Yorkshire

Terrier. It was the trip of a lifetime. They also visited Argentina,

Peru, Singapore, Bali, Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, Puerto

Rico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and all throughout Mexico. A trip

to Italy never happened as Covid-19 interfered with life, not only

his, but the rest of the world as well.

Michael was deeply involved with the Visalia Players at the Ice

House Theatre in Visalia. He did whatever was needed. He built

stage sets, helped with props, costume changes, marketing and

served on the Board of Directors.

In 2019 Michael began his battle with lung cancer and later

developed brain cancer. He was proud to be a survivor, and

fought a long hard battle. His Radiation Oncologist said he was in

the 5% survivor group.

Michael had a remarkable family and circle of friends. He was

admired for his generosity with both his money and his time. He

is survived by his wife Sharon, sisters Vicki (Leonard) and

Jeanette. sister-in-law Diana, sons Michael and Kevin (Sandra)

and five wonderful grandchildren Justin, Kayla, Ashley, Jacob

and Michael.

The phrase he will be remembered for is “Did you ever hear

about the time I…”

Memorial services will be on April 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM at

Arroyo Grande Cemetery and on May 6th at 11:00 AM at Visalia

Cemetery.