Michael Daniel Fahey, age 68, of Josephine, Ala., passed away on Jan. 7, 2013.
Born in Carencro, La and raised in Mobile, he graduated from McGill Catholic High School in 1962. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Physics in 1966, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1968, and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 1970. While at Auburn, Mike met and married his best friend and soul mate, Brenda Thompson. Dr. Fahey, a Captain in the Army, specialized in designing radars and weapon systems for military use. He started his career in Melbourne, Fla., at Radiation Incorporated, working on novel antenna design projects that included a circular array for the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system. Mike and Brenda moved to Huntsville, in 1971, when he accepted a job with the U.S. Army Missile Command on Redstone Arsenal. While at Missile Command, he served as a key technical contributor to the design, fabrication, and testing of many radar, seeker, and weapon system programs including Quiet Radar, HAWK, and ROLAND. In 1985, he cofounded Phase IV Systems, where as Chief Scientist he continued to support radar and weapon system programs. He served as an adjunct Electrical Engineering professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 1972 to 1990. His work experience and time in the classrooms at UAH carried over to his staff at Phase IV and to his government customers. At his core, he was a teacher who knew how to navigate and teach all aspects of electronics hardware development. He retired from Phase IV Systems after the company was sold to Technology Service Corporation in 2004. He and Brenda realized their dream of moving to Pirate’s Cove in Josephine, where he spent his time enjoying life. He had just returned from a trip through Ireland and Italy and a party celebrating his 50th high school reunion before falling ill. He is survived by Brenda Thompson Fahey, his wife of over 44 years; his two children, Gregory Michael (Kimberly) Fahey of Nashville, Tenn. and Laura Fahey (Andrew) Fritts of Atlanta, Ga; his two granddaughters, Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Fahey (12) and Brennan Fahey Fritts (4); and his sister, Catherine Fahey Simmons of Elizabeth City, N.C. He has joined his parents, Leo Mortimer Fahey and Henrietta Domingue Fahey in Heaven. A service celebrating his life will occur at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 at Josephine Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Josephine Baptist Church, Caring Bridge, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Foley. To post online condolences, visit www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
