Michael John Bartnett

It is with great sadness that the family of Michael John Bartnett announces the sudden passing of our beloved Mike, age 69, of Carlsbad, CA, on August 28, 2025. He was a loving husband who adored his wife Katherine Elizabeth Bartnett (Katie), and a proud, loving, dedicated father to Michael Raymond Bartnett and Ryan Patrick Bartnett. He was the first born of twins on June 28, 1956 in Springfield, MA, to Raymond Dards Bartnett and Nancy Pauline Bartnett. Mike is survived by his twin sister Michele Anne Woodford and her husband Colin Woodford, and youngest sister Pamela Joan Beaudoin with her husband Mark Beaudoin, and has now joined the loving spirit of his younger brother Perry Gordon Bartnett. Mike also leaves behind adoring nieces, nephews, and their families, Matthew, Tiffany, Chris, Alex, Shandi, Perry, and Tilly Bartnett. Mark Jr., Catherine, Christian, and Claire Beaudoin, Mollie, Michael, and Brooks Mazzarella, Michele and Eric Benoit, Michael Beaudoin, Nigel and Noel Woodford, and many cousins, colleagues, and friends.

Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Communications from Clarkson University in 1978 and used his skills to keep WTSC-FM, the college radio station on the air. In 1984 Mike received his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering and Radar Communications from Syracuse University. As a young boy Mike was fascinated with NASA and space and his rocketry hobby literally launched the career of his dreams. At the 1969 National Boy Scout Jamboree, Mike along with thousands of scouts watched the moon landing. The next summer at age 14, Mike then launched an accurate model replica of the Saturn 5 rocket at the 1970 Schenectady Council Scout-In at the Ballston Spa Fairground in upstate New York stunning hundreds of onlookers. Mike’s achievements included receiving the coveted Silver Snoopy NASA award in 1997 in recognition of his project leadership on the International Space Station, an honor given only to 1% of the NASA engineers that ensure flight safety and mission success. He also received many other awards during his aerospace career and currently has a patent pending on techniques for satellite assembly and testing. Mike’s communication systems are on the International Space Station, the Mars Pathfinder, the ViaSat Satellites orbiting above us, and more. Mike was that rare intelligent yet empathetic human being with a huge sense of humor. He was an honorable man, an Eagle scout, Cub Master, Boy Scout leader, a licensed private pilot, model train collector, and a model rocketeer. His passion and skill with home improvement was a point of pride and inspiration to professionals. His love, laughter, and kindness, will live on in all who knew him, and his passion for science and space exploration will continue to inspire us all. Though gone from our sight, his light remains among the stars.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be announced in the near future including where to donate in lieu of flowers.