With gratitude for a life well-lived, the family of Michael J. Krasko, 83, announced his passing peacefully at home March 1, 2026, surrounded by love, after two decades of defying doctors’ diagnoses.
Mike was born Jan. 27, 1943, in Jersey City. A graduate of Lincoln High School and Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, where he was a member of the Pershing Rifles, Mike earned his MBA from Pace University. He proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix and Fort Benning, Georgia, completing Jump School as a Green Beret with the 82nd Airborne Division, and then continued in the Army Reserves.
He married his one and only, Carol Lee Jouaneau, April 24, 1965. They raised their family in Middletown, Allenhurst, Rumson and Oceanport, and recently celebrated 60 years together. They were a formidable team, an inspiring example of selflessness, courage, optimism and resilience.
A devoted fan of the New York Giants, “Meet the Press,” Maryland hard crabs and five-pound lobsters, Mike was happiest building memories for his family, celebrating their accomplishments and extending every vacation an extra day.
He began an accomplished career in finance as an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. and rode the waves of 1980s Wall Street as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, Prudential-Bache Securities and L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin. While he was recognized with awards and was often quoted in the Wall Street Journal, he was always happy to offer guidance to those hoping to enter the field.
Mike’s Catholic faith was a lighthouse throughout his life, and he rarely missed a Mass or Holy Day. He was an exceptional bingo caller and financial advisor at St. Mary’s in Deal, and a faithful parishioner, in person and online, at Church of the Nativity. He was a member of Deal Golf & Country Club, where he celebrated many New Year’s Eves with dear friends and Sunday brunches with family, and he was always the last to leave the sand and ocean at Allenhurst Beach Club.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Anna Krasko, and his brother Donald. In addition to his wife Lee, he is survived by his daughters, Kim Brockway, Kristen Olsen and Courtney Costigan and their husbands, Brian, Chuck and Michael, whom he considered his sons. He was immensely proud and supportive of his grandchildren, Alex, Ella, Emmalee, Abby, Michael, Peter, Tommy and Bobby.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Esther, who took incredible care of her “Buddy” and “Boss” and followed the kindness of Judith, Sharon and Peace. A special thank you to Eric Costanzo and Rafal Pawlik for their enduring support. The family knows Ron is waiting to take Mike for a swim in Heaven’s Ocean.
Visitation was held March 4 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. March 5 at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike’s name to Expect Miracles Foundation, 89 South St., Suite 701, Boston, MA 02111 or expectmiraclesfoundation.org in support of cancer care and research at Dana-Farber and Sloan Kettering.
The article originally appeared in the March 5 – 11, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
