Michael Card, 73

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  Michael Joseph Card was born Oct. 5, 1949 in North Adams, the eldest of five children to William and Gloria (St. Cyr) Card. He grew up in Williamstown, attending local schools and graduating from Mt. Greylock in 1967. A talented student, Mike was the first in his family to attend college, entering Northeastern University in the fall of ’67, but returned to Williamstown after two years, for reasons financial and personal, and began working in the construction trade alongside his father and grandfather. His disappointment was short-lived, as he soon met the love of his life, Joan Varney, on a blind date to Joan’s senior prom at Mt. Greylock. They married less than a year later.

Industrious and resourceful, the young couple purchased a 54-acre parcel at the base of Pine Cobble and began clearing the land for their homestead, but after Joan became pregnant, decided to sell and purchased a multi-family home in North Adams, where they lived for five years. Wanting the best education possible for their children, in 1978 they purchased an acre of land along the Green River in Williamstown, where Mike built almost entirely on his own - as his father and grandfather had done - the house where he resided for the rest of his life.

In 1981, Mike became the building inspector for the town of Williamstown, where he remained until his retirement in 2015, excepting a brief stint in the ‘80s as a project manager for the developer Chester Soling. During this time he also went back to school to finish his degree. Mike helped modernize the town’s building department, adding full-time health inspector and town planner positions. On the job he was known as strict but fair, with a deep knowledge of the town’s history and a sense of humor to keep things light. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and was a natural teacher. Mike was a consistent advocate for affordable housing, especially after the flooding of the Spruces mobile home park.

Two principles that Mike held in high regard were self-sufficiency and the importance of a broad-based, liberal arts education, values he passed on to his children. He was proud that all three of his children had the opportunity to attend private, liberal arts colleges and later complete advanced degrees. To help pay for their education, in 1990 he started a “side” business, Michael Card & Son, Inc., providing commercial and residential home inspections mostly in South County.

In their younger years, he and Joan kept a vegetable garden, canned and froze food for the winter months, and always heated with wood, often harvested from their own property. They built and decorated many toys and furniture for their children. They enjoyed the art classes they took with Bill Mahoney at North Adams State, where they made collages and crafted sculptures from wood, clay tiles and other found materials.

Very much a homebody, Mike always kept busy with numerous home improvement projects, in various stages of completion, and took joy in being outdoors cutting wood with his chainsaw. He fixed everything himself. He loved spending time with family and with his dogs Cinnamon, Sadie and Maggie. He told stories of growing up in the White Oaks neighborhood of town, especially during family walks up Broad Brook.

After retiring, Mike rekindled his creative side by taking up lathe work, making hundreds of bowls, vases, eggs, Christmas ornaments, and spinning tops, which he enjoyed giving away to family and friends. He also spent time restoring antique hand tools, especially block planes from the Millers Falls company. He took great pleasure in helping his son set up his homestead in the Hopper.

Mike passed away at home, surrounded by his family, following a long illness, on Sunday, June 4, 2023. He leaves his wife of 51 years, Joan; three children: Michael Card of Williamstown; Jenny Bernhardt (Matthew) of Holland, Mich.; and Melissa Stecura of Purcellville, Va.; and two grandchildren, Juliette and Theo Stecura. He also leaves a brother, James Card of Cumberland, R.I.; two sisters, Cynthia Garbarsky of Williamstown, and Kathy Risatti of Pownal, Vt.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Jeffrey Card.

The family would like to thank Hospice Care of the Berkshires for their care and guidance during Mike’s final days. Also, the Moonlight Diner where Mike and Joan spent many mornings together toward the end of his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Berkshires or the Harper Center.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, June 10 from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, West Main St. in North Adams. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com