Michael E Besseliever
1969-2021
Michael E. Besseliever
1969-2021
Michael Besselievre died in a motorcycle accident in Port Orchard, Washington on Thursday, July 22, 2021, the day after his 52nd birthday.
Michael was born on July 21, 1969 to John D Besselievre and Linda Besselievre at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City. During labor, the family watched the Apollo moon landing. Michael was a lifelong fan / expert on all Star Wars and Star Trek, perhaps due to his birth on that famous day.
Growing up in Bountiful and always interested in sports, Michael participated in many Little League activities and eventually developed a love of soccer and football. He played both sports at Woods Cross High School and received a soccer and lacrosse scholarship from Westminster College. He was a staunch supporter of the University of Utah Utes and later became an avid fan of the Seattle Sounders and Seahawks.
Michael enjoyed scouting and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and also supported his scouting friends and his legacy troop as an adult. As a teenager, he worked in a variety of jobs including Furniture Supplier, Utah Roses Company, Camp Counselor at Camp Tuttle Church Camp, Solitude Ski Resort, and Cook at Robintino’s Restaurant in Bountiful.
After attending Westminster College, Michael enlisted in the US Navy with a desire to serve in the Maritime Services. Because of his technical talent, he attended Naval Submarine & Nuclear Service Training in Orlando, FL and Idaho Falls, ID. After earning his first degree in his class as a nuclear mechanic mate, he was offered training as a naval officer and he chose chemistry as a major at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. His desire to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy was hampered by a serious ankle injury while playing soccer, and he was honored and medically discharged. He ended his naval career with a land service in Washington state.
Michael stayed in Washington state and began a career as an IT professional in computer information systems. He earned an additional degree from Chapman University. He held various IT and operational roles at the vice president level at local and regional financial institutions before moving to Petaluma, CA to work for the Bank of Marin as executive vice president and chief information officer.
While working in California, he kept in touch with friends in Washington State and began dating Sue (Gass) Cilinceon, who would become the love of his life. They later married and chose to live in the Puget Sound area of Washington state.
In 2013, Michael and Sue were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter Kate. Not wanting to be without his family, Michael became a full-time “Daddy” for 2 years while Sue continued her career as Vice President at Kitsap Bank. He often said that this was by far the most rewarding job he would ever have. Michael returned to banking as Vice President at Kitsap Bank and later also served as Senior Director Product & Operations for QCash Financial.
Michael was really family oriented and wanted to take his time and career into his own hands and started his own company which enabled him to spend more time with his family. In July 2020 he started the Peninsula Parcel Service as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner.
Michael built his business into a considerable number of routes and over 60 employees in the first year. A celebration of this successful first year was planned for the days of his associates before his death and is now becoming a celebration of his life. He took great pride in creating a business and jobs to serve his local community. Michael always made sure that everyone he interacted with felt included and comfortable. Loved by so many, Michael was truly “one of the good guys” and an exceptional man. We will always keep his memory in our hearts.
Michael leaves behind his wife Sue, daughter Kate, stepson Joey Cilinceon and wife Stefanie, parents Jack and Linda Besselievre, brother John Besselievre and wife Carolyne, niece Camille Besselievre, nephew Andrew Besselievre and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Michael wanted to be cremated and his ashes distributed to his favorite places.
A prayer service will be held on Saturday, August 14th at 11:00 am at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1131 South Main, Centerville, Utah.
The Covid virus protocol must be observed.
Michael had a special place in his heart for animals and instead of flowers, a donation can be made to the Kitsap Humane Society (kitsap-humane.org) in Silverdale, WA.
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune August 5-10, 2021.
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