Michael Emil Ancona

He was born on November 6, 1937, in Queens, New York, to the late Michael Ancona and Lillian Parsons.

Michael was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Kelly Ancona. He is survived by his devoted wife Kim Ancona, his children Mándo (Kelcee) Ancona, Michael “Dido” Ancona, and Michelle. He was a proud grandfather to Eleanor and Juliet (daughters of Mándo and Kelcee), Richie Thom (son of Kelly), and Chelsea Hewitt (Clinton) and Chris Brooks (Rachel) (children of Michelle). He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Harper and Olivia Hewitt, and Benny Brooks, who all brought him tremendous joy.

Michael grew up in Queens, NY, where he excelled in both sports and drama during his high school years. After graduation, he proudly joined the United States Air Force, where he served as the leader of a special team that built multiple types of aircraft. Serving also on the Air Force Judo team. His service brought him to Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio — a city he made his home.

Following his military service, Michael continued his passion for aviation, working for Rockwell, McDonnell Douglas, and later Boeing as an aircraft technician. His precision, leadership, and dedication were second to none.

Outside of aviation, Michael made an enduring impact on the Ohio boxing community. He founded the Whitehall Amateur Boxing Program and managed two professional fighters, Michael Bradley and Frankie Mitchell, both of whom went on to fight for world titles. His mentorship and passion for competition and the youth led him to coach countless sports in the Gahanna and Johnstown communities. Among his proudest achievements was coaching the legendary Gahanna Raiders Little League Football Team, who went undefeated and unscored upon — a testament to his ability to bring joy, discipline, and excellence out of every child he coached.

Michael was also a professional boxing judge for the IBF/USBA, where he officiated over 150 bouts, including 21 world championship fights. His career took him across the globe — from the United States to Macao, China; Mexico, Germany, Belgium, and South Africa — representing the sport with integrity, respect, and deep passion for what boxing should be.

Beyond his athletic and professional pursuits, Michael was a gifted artist. He possessed a rare, God-given talent that allowed him to master nearly every medium he touched — from chalk and clay to wood, stone, and even sandblasting relief art. He was deeply inspired by Native American art, as well as being a master of the art of storytelling, and the natural beauty of creation. He loved to work on art with his dear friend, Oro Ray King.

Michael was truly one of one amongst unique individuals — a man whose presence was both commanding and kind, whose loyalty and honesty left a mark on everyone he met. Above all, Michael knew Jesus Christ and knew the way to Heaven. Truth was his compass — and he lived by it every day.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, located at 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio, 43230, on November 22, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory to H.O.P.E. Fitness Academy (www.hopefit.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), two organizations Michael proudly supported throughout his life.