Michael Joseph Sutherland

Michael J. Sutherland died June 17, 2022 following heart surgery complications. He was born July 8, 1957 in Washington, D.C., the eldest son of the late Beulah and Norman Sutherland. He attended kindergarten at Bunker Hill public school and then Saint Anthony Catholic School from 1st through 12th grades, where he was president of the high school class of 1975. Michael forged many long-lasting friendships with schoolmates, a lifelong ability continued through college and in workplaces. At the University of Pittsburgh, Michael’s love of problem solving led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and he also met the love of his life, Paula. They married and he soon became a treasured member of her family. He was a devoted dad to their beautiful daughter, Erica.

Following in his father’s footsteps, throughout his life Michael was deeply committed to maintaining connections with friends and family. The quintessential family man, Michael encouraged younger cousins to embrace all aspects of family life. He was a ubiquitous presence at extended family events. Wherever they were held—Las Vegas, California, Florida, New York, or elsewhere—Michael was there and, like his mother, rarely missed a good party or reason to travel. He shared his enthusiasm for music broadly and his terrific Spotify playlists will long be remembered.

After college Michael did defense contract work in DC. He accepted an offer from Westinghouse and moved the family to Orlando, Florida. Michael travelled with Siemans throughout Germany as a contract engineer, always visiting family along the way. He continually advanced technical developments and received a patent in 2001 for a smart ignitor control system. Ever confident in his ability to put anything back together, Michael didn’t hesitate to take things apart to repair them. He even considered a retirement career as a “Mr.

Fixit” to indulge his love of tools—he was on a first-name basis with many Ace Hardware personnel! Michael enjoyed basketball and other sports, and participated in dart games and bowling leagues in Orlando. As a devoted father, Michael actively participated in Erica’s sporting activities, including coaching basketball (which he knew how to play) and soccer (which he did not).

Forever treasuring his memory and mourning his loss are his wife, Paula; daughter Erica and her partner Rodney Jackson; older sister Patricia and brother-in-law Robert; younger siblings Kathleen and Brian; twin uncles Alphonso (Muriel) and Aloysius (Elizabeth) Jones; favorite aunt Doris Dent; beloved cousins, nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends. A Memorial Celebration program will be held on Saturday, August 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Saint Anthony Catholic Church’s Margot Hall, 3406 12th Street, NE in Washington D.C.

Donations in Michael’s honor are welcomed by Saint Anthony Catholic School, 3400 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, or online at www.stanthonyschooldc.org Attention: Sutherland Family Scholarship. The family appreciates your prayers as well as consideration to assist families with educational support.