06/21/2022
It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” Scott Caples. Mike passed away on June 19, 2022 at the age of 67, surrounded by his wife and daughters after a 9-year long battle with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Mike was born September 1, 1954 to Lamar and Doris Caples in Richmond, California. He was class president of his high school, and worked for Chevron refineries in his early years. He married young to a woman named Lisa and had 2 sons, Brian and Chris. A few years later, he met the love of his life, Sandy, who also had a son, William “Billy”. Mike and Sandy married on August 7, 1982 and later had 2 daughters together, Amanda and Jennifer.
In 2001, after owning several Automotive repair businesses in the ’90s, Mike went to work for an electrical subcontractor. The business had a school district project that was plagued with numerous delays. Determined to get the project back on track, Mike contacted various local news outlets but was ignored. From this experience, an idea was born. Mike conceived of a monthly publication that would bring accountability to the industry and serve as a resource for industry participants. In October 2001, Mike published the inaugural edition of Contractor News and Views (CNV).
Behind CNV were Mike and Sandy, the dynamic husband and wife team, who quickly found themselves in high demand, their schedule filling up with countless industry events, including construction site walkthroughs, groundbreaking ceremonies, industry association events and local trades training activities. Through Mike’s dogged determination, CNV quickly grew to become widely regarded as the most prominent and reputable source of information on construction projects in Southern California.
True to his nature of being a helper, Mike also spearheaded numerous community events including San Diego Rebuilds, an event designed to connect victims of the devastating wildfires in 2003 and 2007 to reputable contractors, and the Construction Expo, which took place at the former site of Qualcomm Stadium from 2004-2007 and brought together contractors and young adults looking for work, with all proceeds going to Construction Tech Academy at Kearney High School. CNV also published the former NECA San Diego magazine and continues to publish the AGC San Diego Constructor Magazine.
In 2013, Mike was diagnosed with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 58, but he didn’t let his diagnosis slow him down. He continued to work as long as he could and defied the odds in his fight against the disease. His wife Sandy and daughter Jennifer have carried on his legacy by continuing to publish CNV, and his life will forever live on in its pages.
Mike touched many lives throughout his life with his charismatic personality, unique sense of humor, and giving nature. Mike and Sandy were best friends and about to celebrate their 40-year anniversary this August. Mike also had a special connection with his three grandchildren, James (8), Sammy (6) and Maddy (4), who gave him a new lease on life after his diagnosis and kept him young and vibrant even as the disease took pieces of him bit by bit over the years. His favorite times were always spent with family, friends, and of course, music. He was a long-time fan of San Diego Padres Baseball, lover of chocolate chip cookies, Disneyland fanatic, and his favorite music included James Taylor, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd.
Mike is survived by his wife Sandy, children Brian, Chris, Amanda and Jennifer, stepson Billy, grandchildren James, Sammy and Maddy, son-in-laws Bo and Kevin, daughter-in-law Stela, sister Jackie, brothers Pat and Greg, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 3 p.m. at the Marina Village Conference Center, Marine Room, 1970 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Alzheimer’s San Diego, at https://alzsandiego.app.neoncrm.com/mikecaplestribute
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