Mike Rigby
“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds –
and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of “
Mike is enjoying CAVU right now ceiling and visibility unlimited.
Mike Rigby died peacefully in a love-filled room on Oct. 16, 2012, following a brave year of never giving up. He will be celebrated at a gallery and garden walk of his life at the Lovegrove Garden and Gallery in Matlacha Thursday, Nov. 1, from 6-8 p.m. His enthusiasm for living life full throttle will be presented as art, music and artifacts. Friends and family are invited to attend the event to honor and celebrate Mike’s life.
Mr. Rigby’s life took him to various locations – Jackson, Mich., where he fondly remembered songs taught by his 4th grade music teacher; Midland, Texas, where he recalled walking the oil fields with his father; Brisbane, Australia, where he knew about the Beatles even before the British invasion in the U.S. and where he surfed on long boards at Surfer’s Paradise; Findlay, Ohio, where he graduated in 1967, lettered in swimming and won state; Kent State University, where he witnessed the Kent State shootings; Miami, Fla., where he studied at University of Miami; Melbourne, Fla., where he raced Hobie Cats and graduated B.A. from Florida Institute of Technology; the Bahamas, where he cruised for a year and lived on his 32-foot Bristol; Atlanta, where he started a business; Hot Springs Village, Ark., where he cared for his father and mother; all of Florida, where he and Ruth honeymooned on the east coast and the west coast in a pop-up camper; Cape Coral, where he designed his home and enjoyed his hobbies of boating and aviation.
He adored his two dogs, Google and Merlin. They brought great joy, comfort and humor to his life. He was a successful businessman in Cape Coral, and co-founded Camp-Rigby Roofing and Sheetmetal Inc.
He was born Robert Michael Loose in Pittsburgh, Pa., to his father, Charles Robert Loose, and mother, Rita O’Donnell Loose.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Ruth Elizabeth Rigby of Cape Coral. He is also survived by his brother, Rick Loose (Janice) of Roswell, Ga.; sisters, Trish Heaver (Bob) of Alpharetta, Ga., and Debbie Wimmer (Karl) of Napa, Calif. Additional Loose family includes nieces and nephews, Emily Wimmer (Taylor and Makenzie); Andy Wimmer; and Preston Heaver. Extended family live in Pennsylvania.
Survivors also include the Rigby side of his family, mother, Rachel Rigby (Kyle) of Pensacola, Fla.; brother, Charlie Rigby (Anne Marie) of Stow, Ohio, and sisters, Rebekah Rigby of Pensacola, Fla., and Rosemary Staples (Tony) of Pensacola. Additional Rigby family includes nieces and nephews, Kyle Staples, Jared Staples, Derek Rigby, Kimberly Rigby and Sean Rigby.
As a tribute to Mike, please donate to Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org mikerigby
Arrangements by Coral Ridge Funeral Home and link to personal tribute page at www.coralridgefuneralhome.com