Michael D. Carico

I really don't know how to start this. It is so hard to write about your child in death. When
Michael was born, he was the most beautiful baby boy I had ever seen. I remember telling everyone
how special he was to me. Michael was always a good son, even when he was little. I never had to
worry about him. He never lied to us and was always doing what he was supposed to. Michael's oldest
sister Pam was born 14 months after him. He loved to hold her and kiss her. They were always so
close, even up until his death. Whatever he did his sister Pam would be right there at his side. I
remember Pam had an easy bake oven when she was about 4. Michael decided to see how it worked.
Michael took the whole oven apart, never could get it back right. They always went fishing and
camping together.
His brother Tim was born 7 years after Michael. Michael used to keep his little brother from getting
into any problems with other kids. Tim will tell everyone how Michael made him tough. Tim loved him
dearly. Michael taught Tim to stand up for himself.
Then when Michael was 13, his little sister Shannon was born. He was truly a big brother to Shannon.
Shannon will tell you how much influence Michael was in her life. Shannon said if it wasn't for
Michael she would not have made the decision she made 2 years ago, to move and start a new life for
her and her 3 children. Shannon gives all the credit to Michael for helping her grow up. Shannon
turned her life around because of Michael.
Michael was a wonderful father. He was always there for his 3 children. His oldest daughter
Michele(16) loved to model and he was always there for her shows. He will never be able to see her
gradrate from school in 2004. He bought her her class ring just a few months before he died. He was
so proud of her. Michael's son Mikey III was his fishing buddy, always with Michael camping and
fishing, right along with his sister Pam and her family. They still were close. When one went
fishing and camping the other went. Mikey loved to be with his daddy. He would even hang out in his
garage with him. Heather, Michael's youngest daughter, would sit and count his money, that was how
she learned to count. He would sit with her and have his money out and teach her to count that way.
Michael would sit with her and play all kinds of games, they especially loved cards.
Michael was always there to help his dad work on his truck. If he saw his dad outside working on it
he came right over to help him. That is what Michael loved doing. He would let his stuff go and be
there for family or his friends, always helping. He has a friend who told me after he was killed if
it was not for Michael they would not have been able to by their house. He loaned them the extra
money they needed. He also helped redo their plumbing and electric. He was always there for them.
They miss him so much.
As far as me, his mom, he was right there when I needed him, no matter what. I have so much to be
thankful for and so many good memories of Michael. He had a garage by his house and he was always in
it. I told him one time all he needed was a bed and he could live in it. He had a stereo, chair and
even built a desk- like area and that is where I would go at nights after work and talk to him.
Michael lived right beside us. All his friends hung out there also. It is so hard to look over there
now and not see the doors open and him in there. We even would have cook outs in there if it started
to rain when we cooked out. Michael used to cook out alot and it was right in the back yard. All I
had to do was open my back door and there he was cooking out. I used to tease him and ask "Is
chicken all you ever cook?", but he would just laugh at me. The day he was killed and I had to go to
that hospital and see him, that was and will always be the worst day of my life. He was so peaceful
looking. I tried so hard to wake him up but he wouldn't wake up for me. That was all I wanted. The
day of Michael's memorial service there were over 200 people there. He had so many friends, ones we
had never met. They all told us how much they loved him and what a great friend he was. Michael was
always there for any body who needed him.
I dont now if the girl that hit the car Michael was in and killed him will ever realize what she has
taken from his family and his friends. She might not pay for it now but she will one day.
All I know my world stopped the day Michael was killed. It will never be the same for me or his
family.
Michael my beautiful son, I miss and love you so much. I hope one day I will be able to hold you and
tell you how much I love you. I'm so sorry I couldnt keep you safe. You used to tell me not to worry
about you, but I did. I wish I could have kept you safe the day you were killed. Michael I will see
you again.


"Victim leaves family behind"

Bradenton, Fla- Michael D. Carico II had plans for Thanksgiving dinner with his family, then a
camping trip with his son. But in a split second everything changed. Carico and a friend left work
Wednesday and were driving to mall to pick up a turkey fryer. A vehicle driven by a young woman ran
through a red light slammed into their car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, causing
Carico's life to end.
The accident occured at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Third Street West around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Carico, who had just turned 39, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he
died. He had been a passenger in a vehicle driven by Louis Vasquez Jr. 36, who suffered minor
injuries.
Troopers charged the driver of the other car, Sarah Fernandes, 19, with running a red light. She was
taken to the hospital and released. Fernandes faced a mandatory court date Dec. 23 in Manatee
County. Trooper Gerry Smith of the Florida Highwat Patrol told the Herald on Friday that information
about the crash has been forwarded to the homicide investigators.
When Carico's parents got the word that their son had been flown to the hospital, they immediately
called, said Michael Carico Sr., after whom his son is named. A nurse told them they needed to get
to the hospital right away. The worst news greeted the Caricos upon arrival. Doctors had pronounced
their son dead at 6:15 p.m.
"You can't believe the pain to walk in the hospital and see your son dead," Carico said. " He was
already gone when we got there."
On Friday, the family remained stunned and grief stricken. Michael Carico II's mother, Carol, said
she doubts anything will ever be the same- even in the neigborhood because her son and his family
lived next door. "He was a good family man, a good son, and a good brother", Carol Carico said. "He
was always helping people. That's what he was doing when he was killed".
Carico leaves behind a wife, Angie, and three children, ages 6, 11, and 16. His mom and dad. Carol
and Mike. Two sister's Pammie and Shannon.And one brother Tim. Born in Ohio, Carico moved to Manatee
County with his family when he was 10 years old, his father said. He was a Supervisor at Pierce
Manufacturing Co., a Bradenton company that makes fire trucks, and formerly served as a firefighter
in Samoset for three years.
His remains will be cremated and a memorial service will be held next week so all the family can be
there, family members said. The family plans to release Carico's ashes into the Manatee River
because, an avid fisherman, the river was his favorite spot, his mother added.