Michael Bier

Michael Jason Bier , 75, passed away on November 20, 2021 in Islamorada, Florida following a heroic struggle with lung cancer. He was born July 31, 1946 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Edna and Harry Bier. He had two older siblings, Stephen and Mary.

The love of the Florida Keys was developed at an early age when Mike’s parents moved their young family to Key West in the 1940s where they resided for a short time. Although they eventually moved back to New Jersey and then resettled in Miami in the 1950s, this early experience was important in his life.

Mike graduated from North Miami High School in 1964 and then graduated cum laude with a degree in architecture from the University of Florida in 1971.  Mike was active with the American Institute of Architects and served as Miami Chapter President in the early 1980s.  He later opened his own practice and designed one-of-a- kind homes for people throughout South Florida and the Keys.  Mike also taught at Miami Dade College, was a student favorite and remained in contact with many of his former students throughout his life.

Mike and his mother, Edna, moved to the Keys in the early 1980s following the death of his father, Harry.  Mike designed a beautiful home where he resided for the rest of his life.  During his nearly forty years in the Keys, Mike was active and involved with many organizations he cared passionately about including Save-a-Turtle, Florida Keys Gator Club, Marathon Sailing Club, Lower Matecumbe Key Association and Safety Harbor Property Owners Association.

Mike was an amazing person with many outstanding qualities, but his kindness, sense of humor, empathy, and true interest in others set him apart in so many ways.  Mike was an integral part of a loving family who also created a vast network of friends who became his family.  He was genuinely interested in and supportive of them.  He loved sailing, exploring, eating, laughing, talking – preferably all happening at the same time! Mike was also an animal lover and was devoted to his cats, Muffin, Ringo and Jasmine.

Mike lived life on his own terms and he proclaimed on many occasions to friends and family that he could not have had a better life.

Mike is survived by his sister, Mary Bier Wilson, nephews, Stephen Bier, Jr., Jeff Wilson and William “Billy” Bier and niece Jennifer Wilson.  He is also survived by six grand-nieces, two grand-nephews, and one great grand-niece and a plethora of wonderful friends who were like family to him.  Mike was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Harry & Edna, and older brother Stephen.

A Celebration of Life for Mike will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in his name:

Save-A-Turtle (Jensen Endowment)

Florida Keys Gator Club (Scholarship Fund)

Sea-Fever

BY JOHN MASEFIELD

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.