Michael Harold LeCates of Salisbury died Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. He was born Oct. 31, 1964 to parents Rodney Harold LeCates and Penny Jacobs LeCates. Michael attended elementary school in Frankford and moved to Seaford during middle school. He graduated from Seaford Senior High School in 1982 where he enjoyed playing baseball for the Blue Jays. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990 and his Masters of Business Administration from Wilmington University in 1993.
Michael and Terry ran a successful salon and day spa for years in Salisbury – Terry Michaels and later About Faces. He worked at DuPont. More recently, Michael was CEO of Peninsula Business Ventures, Transworld Business Advisors and worked in a financial capacity with many other businesses on the Eastern Shore including Rommel Engineering, Eaton and Credit Plus.
Michael married the love of his life Terry Masten LeCates in June 1990. They have two amazing children, Cassie Claire LeCates, a senior at University of Alabama, and Jacob Michael LeCates, US Air Force recruit. He is survived by his immediate family and his mother, Penny Jacobs LeCates, his Aunt Jeannie Wilder of Salisbury and maternal Grandmother Catherine Jacobs of Cockeysville, Md; Aunt Mary Catherine Lorenzo, Uncle Norman C. Jacobs and Uncle John J. Jacobs; special cousins Christopher Jacobs, Michele Bracken and Courtney Rayfield. He is also survived by his in-laws, Everette and Shirley Masten, Jr. of Seaford.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rodney H. LeCates; paternal grandparents Kathryn and Rodney LeCates and maternal grandfather Norman (Jake) Jacobs; and aunts Peggy Bassinger and Barbara Jacobs. He enjoyed spending time with extended family: Bud and Jean Ellwanger of Salisbury; sister-in-laws and their families – Michelle and John Casisa and daughter Carly of Huntersville, NC; Carolyn and Bryant Knauer and children Camryn and Tanner, of Davidson, NC.
Throughout his life Michael enjoyed hunting and fishing, baseball, tackling a challenge, helping people, following college and professional football, Nascar, spending time with family and loved ones. He was a gentle and kind-hearted husband, father, son, grandson, son-in-law, uncle, nephew and friend. Michael could always be seen on the sidelines at Jake and Cassie’s sporting events from T-ball/baseball, to horseback riding and volleyball to football games. Michael was known for his quick wit and sense of humor and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life was held at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury on Nov. 13. Pastor Marc Hannah officiated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Epoch Dream Center, P.O. Box 218, Hebron, MD 21830 or epochdreamcenter.com.