hard fought battle with small cell bladder cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family in his
final moments.
Mike was born on May 29, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to Clayton and Frances Passage (nee
Giammona). He and his older sister, Mary Banka (nee Passage) grew up on the Eastside of
Detroit and Grosse Pointe. In his youth, Mike had a love of fast cars, rock music, and boats. He
loved spending hours on his dad’s boat on Lake St. Clair and driving his Corvette (too fast)
through the streets of Grosse Pointe.
He graduated from Grosse Pointe High School “The High” in 1967 and joined the Army Reserve
after graduation where he served for six years. He then joined the Detroit Police Department in
1972. During his 36 year career with the Detroit Police Department, he would work all over the
city and rise to the rank of lieutenant, retiring in 2006.
On May 17, 1980, Mike married the love of his life, Susan (nee Greene). They had two
daughters, Jennifer Breedlove (Scott) and Dr. Julie Zaituna (Andrew) along with several beloved
German Shepherd dogs, a couple of mutts, and a few cats that he never really wanted. Mike’s
girls were his world and he was proud to be able to see them both grow into successful women,
wives, and mothers.
The absolute joys of Mike’s life were his 4 grandchildren, Charlie and Lily Breedlove and
Josephine and James Zaituna. He was a devoted grandpa who spent much of his time
watching them from their infancy until the time of his death. He was insistent that “Grandpa’s
Daycare” was the only option for his grandkids while their parents were at work.
If he wasn’t holding his grandchildren, you could often find Mike with a good book in hand,
sitting by a roaring campfire (that he built), or on the back of his Harley with other Warthog
Motorcycle Club members.
Family was very important to Mike. He is the beloved uncle of Clayton and Frances Banka,
Natalie and Stephen Barstys, and Zachary Charlesworth. He is also survived by his
sisters-in-law Kim Barstys, Carole Greene, Sue Williams, and Kathy Vought and brothers-in-law
Kevin Greene, Greg Greene, Dave Barstys, and Dan Banka.
Not only was Mike adored by his family, but he was also loved by a wide circle of friends and
colleagues whom he held dear. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His loss is
immeasurable.
A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. Michael will lie in state at 11:30 AM until the time of the funeral Mass at 12:00 PM on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lakeshore, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.
Memorial donations can be made to the Leader Dogs For The Blind, 1039 S Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 or charity of choice.
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