Michael Vito Claps Jr.

Mike was the eldest child of the late Isabelle Caldwell (nee Taylor) and Michael Vito Claps. He is survived by his children and grandchildren: Tom and Mira Claps and their children Eliana, Alexa, Jadon of Everett, WA, Michele Cruz (nee Claps) and her children Nicco, Luke, Sarah of Sanford, FL. Mike is also survived by his sister Isabelle Alice Claps of Haverhill, MA. And he was predeceased by his brother John Taylor Claps.

Mike was born in Yonkers, NY, November 17, 1937. He graduated from Gorton High School. While in high school, Mike taught himself Italian using a set of 78 rpm records. Throughout his entire life he continued to study Italian; his facility for language helped him to also be conversant in Spanish and Portuguese, a skill that enhanced both his work and travel experiences.

MIke received his undergraduate degree, BA Marine Engineering from SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in 1959. From there he began his career with General Electric at the Knolls Atomic Energy Plant in Schenectady, NY. While working for GE in Schenectady, Mike earned a MS in Mechanical Engineering from RPI in Troy in 1961 and was awarded his Professional Engineering License in 1979. At Knolls, Mike was a part of a research team developing a small, nuclear submarine that could stay submerged for extended periods of time. His research produced a paper on desalination of seawater, which was published in Scientific American.

Soon after graduating college, Mike married his college sweetheart, Beverly Ann Fagnani. They lived in Ballston Spa, NY. During those years their two children were born. Mike and Beverly’s time together was too short, Beverly passed away in 1966.

Mike and his children then moved to Mt. Vernon, NY. He continued his career with GE, transferring to their NYC offices and managed international power plant sales and construction. He focused the next years of his life on his career and caring and providing for his children.

When both of his children were grown, Mike returned to the GE offices in Schenectady, he held the position of Manager of Proposals and oversaw power plant development. It was at this time in his life that Mike met Jeanne Marie Docteur and they married in 1987. Mike retired from GE in 1992. He and Jeanne traveled from one end of the earth to the other; from Tierra del Fuego south to Antarctica, and to the

North Cape of Norway north to Spitsbergen. No place was too remote. They traveled in Europe and South America.

On these travels Mike connected with and established caring relationships with many Claps relatives in Avigliano, Como, and Milan, Italy and Bariloche, Argentina, relatives whom he and Jeanne visited often. Mike and Jeanne enjoyed a busy and full life until Jeanne’s passing in 2011. While continuing to live in Schenectady, Mike volunteered at the library, sat on the Library Board, volunteered at Sunnyview Rehab Hospital, and was a member of the Sons of Italy.

Mike developed Parkinson’s Disease and, when it was no longer safe for him to continue to live alone, he moved near his son Tom and Tom’s family to Bothell WA.

All his life Mike was curious and creative. While in high school he and a friend, using items from Army Surplus built such things as an x-ray machine and a rocket that was propelled on a roller skate. When he retired he built a lightning machine that shot bolts across his garage. Mike enjoyed singing in the choir at church, reading, especially world and world war history and gripping political thrillers.

Mike’s family extends sincere thanks to all those associated with his care, especially the staff at Golden Leaf Adult Home; Lucia, Mishka, and Antoinette.

A viewing of the body will be held at the Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4540 Broadway, Everett, WA 98203 on Friday, November 13, 2020. between the hours of 4:00PM and 6:00PM. This will be followed by the Funeral Service beginning at 6:00PM. The family is grateful for condolences, in lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make donations to Golden Leaf Adult Family Home, 14915 38th Dr., SE,

Bldg CC, Bothell WA 98012