Jeffrey "Fin" Scott Michels

Jeffrey “Fin” Scott Michels, age 64, passed away in his sleep on August 9, 2024 from heart disease in St. Pete, Florida. Jeff was such a strong believer of Jesus Christ, we are sure he is with his Lord & Savior reveling in the beauty of heaven.

Jeff was born on March 12, 1960 in Babylon, Long Island, New York. He was the third son of Howard and Verna Michels. In 1970, the family packed up their family of 6 kids and moved to Stuart, Florida. The Michels family was one of the original families in Coral Gardens. It was during the time where all the kids grew up in the same neighborhood, played outside all day long, and they came home when the street lights came on. Many of the families that lived in that neighborhood are still friends today. Even as a little boy, Jeff always had a soft spot for animals. He talked his mother into driving to Miami to pick up a monkey he ordered through a mail order catalog (there was no internet back then). Animals have always been a huge part of his life.

Jeff’s father was an avid fisherman, so from birth, fishing and boating was a part of Jeff’s and his siblings’ lives. Jeff played local youth sports alongside his big brother Doug (mostly in Port Salerno). Jeff attended Martin County High School. There was never enough for kids to do in Martin County, back then, outside of being very close to the beach and boating. That all changed when the skating rink opened across the street from Coral Gardens. Many of the kids became very good at roller skating due to their mothers dropping them off to skate for hours.

Cars, shenanigans, and girls would come later and they always found some kind of mischief to get into.

Jeff was called to serve the Lord in the early 90’s and started traveling with the New Life Drama Company with Pastor David Woodrow. In 1991, he started traveling with Reverend Norval Hayes ministering with him in Hawaii and Tennessee. Jeff served on the Mission field for many years. In 1992, he was ordained into the ministry and started preaching at Lakeside Christian Fellowship, where he eventually became Principal of the Lakeside Christian Fellowship School located in Paris, Tennessee. He met and married his wife Debbie in 1993. They both were on staff before eventually moving back to Florida in 1997 to work for the family business, Michels Screening.

His love for the outdoors and the water eventually landed him on the West Coast of Florida in Clearwater where he operated a jet ski business. He became a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer so he could operate passenger vessels in coastal waters. Due to his unique way of relating to animals, he earned the nickname “Fin”. He knew where to locate and talk to the dolphins. Jeff always had a huge likeable personality which suited him in dealing with the public having fun on the water. He was well known and liked and created many friends and enduring relationships.

Jeff had so many gifts. He was an eloquent public speaker presenting the eulogy for our mother’s funeral in 2020. He was also an accomplished water and snow skier and golfer.

He is survived by his 4 brothers and sister: Robert (Elizabeth) Michels, Doug Michels, Thomas (Jennifer) Michels, Bruce Michels, and Cynthia (Douglas) Gapen; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, his former wife Debbie Michels, he is survived by his friend, Louise Matthews, and his roommate Chrissy Cacciatore. I believe Louise said it best, “He had a good heart….but it wasn’t strong enough to keep him alive.”

One of his greatest loves has always been his dogs. His preferred breed was tiny Yorkshire Terriers. His Yorkshire terrier, Cali, was with him when he died and will remain with his roommate Chrissy.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vernon and Sally Campbell, Parents, Howard R. Michels, and Verna Campbell Stevens.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 29, calling hours from 11:00AM – 12:00PM, service starting at 12:00PM at Aycock Funeral Home, Young & Prill Chapel, 6801 SE Federal Highway, Stuart. Inurnment will take place after the service at Fernhill Memorial Gardens, 1501 S Kanner Highway, Stuart.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter in his honor. Tell your loved ones how much you love them today.