Saratoga Springs – Michael James "Coach" Carney passed away after a long and courageous fight at Saratoga Hospital on June 22, 2025. He was born in Corinth, NY, on December 5, 1941, the son of the late James Joseph Carney and Eileen Halloran Carney.

Michael graduated from Corinth High School and SUNY Plattsburgh as well as completing graduate work at Plattsburgh, the University of Hawaii, and New York University. From 1966 to 1969 he worked for the United States Department of the Interior as an Educational Specialist on the Island of Truk in the South Pacific. Michael began his long career as an educator in Saratoga Springs in 1971 where he taught in Caroline Street School, Geyser Road School, and Maple Avenue School.

He was a girls and boys soccer coach and was instrumental in introducing the sport of soccer to the Saratoga community. He coached girl's lacrosse and basketball and was always ready to help out with other teams during his career. He was a referee for many years. Michael was known as "someone who had an eye for talent, a heart for the hard worker with less skill, and compassion for both." Teaching and coaching brought him extraordinary satisfaction and joy, so much so that he continued to coach well into retirement.

Michael also worked at SPAC and the Saratoga Race Course during the Saratoga summers.

To his family, Michael was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Riester Carney; daughters Meaghan (Stuart) Aldridge and Jenifer (Jeffrey) Bliemeister, sons; Matthew (Becky) Sawtelle and Jason (Gwynne) Sawtelle, and his eight grandchildren; Cooper, Maddox, Maxfield, Emily, Olive, Andy, Otto, and Beck. He is also survived by his sister Mary K. (Robert) Dudley, brother Matthew (Linda) Carney, sister-in-law Louise Carney, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his brother John J. Carney, Sr.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to the Coach Carney Memorial Scholarship. Please make checks out to the Saratoga Springs City School District with the "Coach Carney Memorial Scholarship" in the memo.  Please mail to 3 Blue Steak Blvd. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Relatives and friends may call from 5-7pm on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.