Obituary of Michael V. Claridades

On January 23, 2021, Michael Vargas Claridades died unexpectedly in Poughkeepsie, NY of COVID-19. He was 70 years old. 

Michael is survived by his father Dr. Paul A. Claridades of Chesapeake Beach, MD and was preceded in death by his mother Dr. Lydia V. Claridades in 2017. He is also survived by wife Araceli ("Arcie") Claridades; his siblings Praxedes and Ricardo Abalos (Poughkeepsie, NY), Josephine and Rod Roque (Charleston, WV), Virginia and Steven Silverman (Poughkeepsie, NY), Paul and Denise Claridades (Charleston, WV), Bernice and Matthew Sanford (Bel Alton, MD), and Adriene and Gary Bopp (Chesapeake Beach, MD). Mike also has 15 nieces and nephews, 8 grandnieces and grandnephews and 1 great-grandnephew.  

Michael, affectionately called "Tito Mike" and "TT" by family and friends, was born on November 21, 1950 in Manila, Philippines. He went to San Beda College in the Philippines. Mike worked at Fishkill IBM for over 35 years as a Financial Analyst and retired happily in 2016. 

Mike found the love of his life and married Arcie on October 10, 2018. They spent the remainder of his life traveling and seeing the world together.

Mike loved sports and was an athlete himself, playing volleyball, basketball, softball, and tennis. He is well-known throughout the community for his love of volleyball and coaching. While he coached both basketball and volleyball, he was most passionate about volleyball, and enjoyed coaching anyone, no matter their skill level. Mike was determined to make everyone the best volleyball player they could be, and his love for volleyball opened up lifelong friendships that spanned the country. When he wasn't on the volleyball court, Mike was an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors. He would often take his nephews and nieces fishing, then cook up a feast with the catch of the day. In fact, Mike’s other passion was cooking. He never missed an opportunity to get family and friends together and cook for them. Be it a pig roast, a tailgate party at a West Point or WVU game, or an impromptu get together with visitors, Mike was always quick to fire up a feast for everyone.

A virtual memorial service for Mike is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 10am and at Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Donations can be made to the American Heart Association and condolences can be sent to Mike’s memory board at www.weremember.com/michael-claridades/9h5v/memories.