USAF veteran had many interests
NORTH READING — Michael (Mike) Anthony Tiberio, 53, of North Reading passed away peacefully on June 16, 2023 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Born on July 23, 1969, in Methuen, Mike was a loving husband, devoted father, and loyal friend.
Mike is survived by the loves of his life, including his wife, Kathleen (Kate) Carroll Tiberio, and their two sons, Jake and Zach Tiberio. He is also survived by his uncle and aunt, Joseph and Linda Tiberio, uncle and aunt, Scott and Janice Tilley, father-in-law Richard Carroll, mother-in-law Jo-Anne Carroll, and sisters-in-law Colleen Carroll and Maribeth Carroll, nephew Declan Carroll, and niece Anna Carroll. Mike was preceded in death by his adoring parents, Joyce Ann Tiberio and Michael Anthony Tiberio Sr.
Upon graduating from Methuen High School in 1987, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17, and he proudly served his country for five years. Mike earned medals for his work in support of Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm. While in the service, Mike was also awarded the Samuel B. Morse Award for translating Morse code at the highest rate ever recorded. Following his years of service and honorable discharge, Mike worked for the NSA (National Security Agency) before moving to the private sector, where he concluded his career. He contributed for over 25 years leading technology infrastructure and cybersecurity teams at Harvard Management Company and Convexity Capital Management.
Never one to be idle, Mike had many passions. From an early age, he loved racing cars and could often be found at the racetrack, cheering on his favorite drivers or participating in races himself. An enthusiastic guitar player, Mike enjoyed both making and listening to music and attending live performances. His love of travel recently took him on family trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to see the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, Iceland to see the Northern Lights and experience the hot springs, and to Ireland to enjoy the natural beauty of the country and savor a Guinness at an authentic Irish pub. Of their many travels, Mike, Kate, Jake, and Zach most enjoyed their annual trips to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which they considered their happy place and their home away from home.
At the age of 50, Mike retired from his professional career to focus his energy on his health and spend more time with family in his remaining years. He instilled in his boys the importance of good health, physical strength, and a commitment to fitness, which was essential to Mike’s own longevity. Mike was a warrior and role model in his fight against cancer, participating in numerous clinical trials over more than a decade. He was dedicated to supporting research for new solutions and “did all the hard work,” as his oncologist said, to help future patients, who will hopefully benefit even more from enhanced treatments in the years to come.
Mike also devoted much of his time to coaching his sons in football, soccer, and lacrosse and was an active member of his community. He served as the president of North Reading Youth Lacrosse (NRYLL) for several years, making a lasting impression on the lives of countless young athletes. To honor Mike’s impact, the NRYLL recently renamed its annual scholarship “The Mike Tiberio Scholarship Award,” which will honor his legacy and contributions for years to come.
Nothing was more important to Mike than the love he had for his friends and family. If you were fortunate enough to have known him, you felt this deeply. When his time came, he carried himself with bravery, strength, and dignity. He will be missed dearly and never forgotten.
Family and friends are cordially invited to visiting hours at the Mackey Funeral Home, 128 South Main Street (Route 114), Middleton on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Teresa’s Prime function facility at 20 Elm St., North Reading. A private burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mike’s memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Center for Neuro-Oncology, attn: Dr. David Reardon, MD., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Your contribution will help advance the critical research Dr. Reardon’s team is doing every day to help others who are courageously fighting brain cancers. For more information, please visit: My Giving Page: Support Dr. David Reardon’s Research Fund’s Fundraising Page – My Fundraising Page (jimmyfund.org)
