Emma Duke Educational Fund

Michael Duke tragically passed away this past Sunday, October 7th, leaving behind his wife, daughter, parents, siblings, and countless friends. Mike’s loves of his life were his wife Andrea, and his daughter Emma.  He was a fantastic husband and an even better father.  With Emma just 11 months old, we are hoping to raise money to establish an educational fund to support her for years to come. His number one wish in life was to make sure his daughter was secure and we intend to help indefinitely to honor him. Mike also put a great value on education, and nothing would keep his memory alive more than your contribution to get this fund launched.

Those of you fortunate enough to know Mike knew that he was thoughtful and never one to waste words, but he was especially soft-spoken when it came to talking about himself. He certainly never sought attention, but instead always looked to build up others. He was exceptionally kind-hearted and looked to help in any way possible. Mike has already touched many lives even after his passing.  It was important to him and his wife Andrea that they would be organ donors, and Mike’s heart has already been transplanted and saved someone else’s life.  His other organs are on flights to different parts of the United States where they will be transplanted this week. This is how Mike would want to be remembered, as someone who was always willing to put others before himself, even beyond his life.

Mike was also a major benefactor at the Nativity Preparatory School in Wilmington, Delaware. This school is part of a nation-wide network of tuition-free middle schools serving low-income families. The school was launched in Wilmington, Delaware and is sponsored and created by Mike’s High School, Salesianum School, also located in Wilmington, Delaware. Mike was a large supporter of sponsored scholarships for students throughout his professional life.

Mike was also beloved by his co-workers. Mike started at G.X Clarke & Co. interning in the summer of 2008, and after graduation in 3.5 years from Villanova University, started at G.X. Clarke and Co. in January of 2009 as a bond trader.  Mike was one of the key pieces in the exponential growth of the Securitized Products Desk at G.X. Clarke & Co., eventually becoming INTL FCStone Inc. in 2015.  Just last winter, Mike was appointed Head of Securitized Trading at the young age of 31. An incredible feat for an incredible man.

What many of you may not know, the small group we had at G.X. Clarke & Co. and now at INTL FCStone has been together and worked with Mike for the last 10 years.  With the open-floored structure of a trading desk, our team is like family. Beyond titles and accolades, one could walk around our trading floor and unequivocally every person would say that Mike was the smartest person in the room, the most impressive, and the sounding board that we all cherished. He was the rock that we all needed, and will be missed beyond belief.

Emma and Andrea were Mike’s everything.  Mike’s greatest life goal would be the security of his daughter and her education, and we believe this to be the best way to honor a great man. We ask that if you can, please donate to Emma’s educational fund as it would be Michael’s number one wish.