KINGSTON — Mike Bookey, the Port of Kingston manager since May 15, 2007, died early Sunday morning, according to Port Commissioner Pete DeBoer.

Bookey joined the port after a career in the high-tech industry. An innovator in nationwide networks with the banking industry, he went on to own ViaLight and Digital Network Architects, both internationally known data systems consulting companies.

A published author, Bookey penned “America at the Internet Crossroads,” a well-received book that supplied a common sense approach to the importances of the internet to economic and cultural development.

“Foremost, Mike was a teacher,” said Marc Bissonnette, chairman of the port commission. “He had an innate ability to break down complex problems to their basic elements, and determine the correct process to solve them. I witnessed roomfuls of legislators, businessmen, and career bureaucrats all nodding their heads in agreement with Mike’s assessments. He was a mentor, and will be sorely missed.”