Michael J. Ready ’58

Michael J. Ready, Riverview, FL, died July 29, 2024.

Through their estate gift to the College, Mike and his wife, Geraldine, established the Michael J. Ready Endowed Scholarship Fund to pay forward the support Michael received as a Saint Michael’s undergraduate.

Born in Rutland, VT, Mike graduated from Christ the King Elementary School and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland before earning his bachelor’s degree in history and library science from Saint Michael’s. His estate gift honored Edmundite mentors from Mike’s college days: Head Librarian Fr. Vincent Maloney, S.S.E., ’35 and assistant Librarian Joe Sullivan.

Mike’s experiences at work and on campus helped him develop his direction in life professionally. His and Geraldine’s generosity also enhanced the Durick Library’s Archives Research Room and its archives storage system.

Following his graduation, Michael spent a year as dean of men for foreign students at Saint Michael’s. Then came the opportunity of a lifetime. He was asked to teach English as a Second Language to students at the University of the Andes in Bogota, Columbia. He taught there for three years before returning home to Vermont.

Finding no open positions in his field in Vermont, he moved to New York City where he found his perfect match in the Information and Research Center of Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG Peat Marwick) and rose to the position of director of the Information and Research Center for the entire worldwide partnership. He retired from KPMG Peat Marwick in 1988.

He married in 1980 and moved to Dallas, TX, in 1988. There he became very active with the building of a new parish and church, Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, TX.  He ultimately joined JCPenney and spent 10 years in the jewelry and advertising divisions before he retired for a second time.  When his wife retired from JCPenney in 2007 they moved to Sun City Center, FL.

Michael is survived by his wife of 44-plus years, Geraldine, and extended family.