Michael Donald Abney

Mike graduated from Landon High School in 1953 and from the University of Florida in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, receiving his CPA certificate in 1958. He was a partner in the international accounting firm Coopers and Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) for 30 years, the last 17 years as managing partner of the firm’s Jacksonville office. At the time of his retirement from public accounting in 1992, he had helped to build C&L into one of the largest CPA offices in the Southeast.

In 1992 Mike began his second career with the MPS Group (originally Accustaff, Inc.) as Chief Financial Officer, becoming Senior Vice President in 1998, and a member of the Board of Directors in 2000. He was known widely as a brilliant financial mind and a man that stood for and lived by the highest ethical standard.

Mike served in a Board of Directors’ role and shaped many civic and educational organizations, including Episcopal High School (named Honorary Trustee in 2013), Episcopal High School Foundation Board, The Fisher School of Accounting Advisory Board (UF), The Warrington College of Business Administration (Original Steering Committee Member) (UF), Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Hospital Foundation, Jacksonville Zoological Society, Jacksonville Symphony, Inroads Jacksonville, Young Life, St. Mark’s and St. Peters Episcopal churches, and many more.

He was proud of his memberships in his favorite organizations, including the Kappa Alpha Order, Beta Alpha Psi, University of Florida Alumni Association (lifetime member), American Institute of Public Accountants (lifetime member), Florida Institute of Public Accountants (lifetime member), the Meninak Club of Jacksonville, and Bull Gators (UF). He enjoyed memberships at Timuquana Country Club, The Florida Yacht Club, The River Club, The Ponte Vedra Club, The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, and The Cullasaja Club (Highlands, NC).

Mike was predeceased by his father, Charles L. Abney and his mother, Minna S. Abney.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Joy; his three sons, Michael, Jr. (Kimberly), Ted (LaRae), and David (Hayley); his five grandchildren, Michael III, Lindsey, Logan, Houston, and Hart; his brother Charles L. Abney Jr. (Harvie), his niece Caroline, his nephew Charles L. Abney III (Kristie); his father-in-law Joseph F. Mikulas and sister-in-law Julie M. Catlin (Hal); his nephews Hampton Catlin (Michael) and Davis Catlin (Shea); and numerous dear friends.

Mike’s major life interests have been his faith, his family, his career, The University of Florida (Gator Football), and Episcopal High School. He loved the church and his relationship with Jesus, golf with his friends, being in the mountains with Joy and his family, and advising and encouraging the people he held dear.

A Memorial Service will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, June 13, 2014 at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, 4510 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida 32082. In lieu of flowers Mike requested donations be made to Christ Church InTown (PCA), Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, The Episcopal School of Jacksonville, and the Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family.