Michele T. "Mickey" Masdeo

Michele Thomas (Mickey) Masdeo died in his sleep on May 22, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. He was 89. Mickey was in declining health during his last few years and was cared for in the memory care unit of Cascade Valley Senior Living when he died just hours after a visit by several out-of-state family members.

Mickey was born in Hawthorne, California, on November 6, 1935, to the late James V Masdeo and Margaret Herron Bender. He attended St John Chrysostom Catholic Church and School in Inglewood, California. Mickey was a graduate of Mt Carmel High School, Los Angeles, in 1952.

After one year in college, he was inducted into the US Army in 1954 during which time he was stationed for a year in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and transferred into the Army Reserve until 1962. He returned to school and was a graduate of Loyola University in 1959 with a BA in Accounting.

Mickey worked in accounting and real estate for many years in southern California while living in Palos Verdes Estates. He was self-employed at MTM Financial Services until joining the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, Monterey Park. He was manager of accounting for seven years until retiring in June 2004. He then returned to private accounting practice until several years before his death.

Mickey was a frequent traveler to Hawaii, Las Vegas and for extended periods to mainland China. Mickey was single until marrying late in life the former Xaiomei Sun. They moved from California to Birch Bay, Washington, in 2004. They divorced shortly thereafter and had no children together.

Mickey was an active community member of Birch Bay. He advocated and supported efforts for Birch Bay to incorporate and establish its own school system and post office.

Mickey played collegiate baseball for Loyola and continued to play baseball well into his senior years. He was an accomplished tennis player and played adult league hockey. He enjoyed many years skiing, golfing, and fishing in the California Sierras and the Pacific Northwest. Mickey was a proud dog owner – one at a time -- for many years.

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents and Ralph, a brother. He is survived by his sister, Rosemary Schneider of Cypress, California, and nieces and nephews.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale, Washington, with Chaplain Eddy Harrod officiating on Thursday, November 6, 2026 when Mickey would have been 90.