Michael Deep

Michael Deep (89) of Montgomery, AL passed away November 9, 2020 after a brief illness. A renowned restaurateur, Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and active with the Montgomery Exchange Club, he was known as Mike or “Paw Paw” to his wife Barbara, his 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mike was born September 26, 1931 in Montgomery, AL, a son of the late Antonio Deep and Daisy (Hyder). He played high school football for Loretto, the predecessor to Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. He served a tour with the United States Air Force, married Barbara (Thomas) on November 14, 1959 in Pensacola, FL. and was well known in Montgomery as an owner of the Sahara Restaurant.

He was active in Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic Church and was awarded the Christ the King medal from the Archdiocese of Mobile for his lifetime service to his parish. He was named by the Knights of Columbus Council 893 as their Man of the Year. The Montgomery Exchange Club also recognized him with their Crapps-Crowder Award. His passions were fishing, golf, playing dominoes and spending time with his family.

A family Mass was held with Samuel Castanza, Justin Castanza, Michael Stewart, Adam Guzan, Ryan Deep, Curtis Guzan, Alex Castanza and Simon Guzan serving as pall bearers. He was laid to rest in St. Margaret’s Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama.

Besides his parents, Mike is preceded in death by his brother Joseph Deep, and sisters Mary Francis Petro and Cecelia Yarbrough.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Barbara; son, Stephen (Charlotte) Deep; daughters, Kathy (Larry) Guzan, Diane (Michael) Castanza, Karen Franklin and Tricia (Gordon) Almand; grandchildren, Shannon Deep, Ryan Deep, Adam Guzan, Curtis Guzan, Emma Guzan, Simon Guzan, Samuel (Danielle) Castanza, Justin (Meagan) Castanza, Rachel (Michael) Stewart, Alex (Martha) Castanza, Morgan Almand and Maranda Almand; great grandchildren, Ella Castanza, Ben Castanza, Thomas Castanza, Philip Castanza, Conor Castanza, Vincent Castanza, Natalie Castanza, Sal Castanza, Isabel Stewart and Annie Stewart.

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