Michael Edward Lange

Michael was born and raised in Toms River, NJ. He attended St. Joseph Grade School (1980), and Toms River North High School (1984). Michael earned a BA in Computer Science from Rutgers University (1988), and an MBA in Information Systems / Finance from NYU Stern School of Business (1997). He lived in Hoboken, NJ for several years before relocating to Raleigh, NC. He worked as Director of Application Development, at Bowne in New York City and Manager of Pharmaceutical Research & Development at Merial in Iselin NJ. In NC, he worked as a Project Manager for Emerging Information Systems and spent the last 15 years of his career as a Manager, Financial Systems at Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.

Michael was a life-long NY Yankees fan who attended multiple All-Star and World Series games. He often organized trips with family and friends to Yankees Stadium. Michael ran the New York City Marathon twice and enjoyed skiing and scuba diving. He watched his beloved Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006. He took flying lessons, but stopped after his first solo flight because he decided to be more cautious as he prepared for a growing family.

Michael was an intrepid traveler who was as comfortable doing a self-guided tour of Moscow as he was white water rafting in Colorado. He accomplished his goal of visiting all 50 states in April 2021. Michael enjoyed trying different beers, tracking them in an app to a total of 950 unique beers. Michael was kind to everyone he encountered.

Michael’s favorite role was that of Husband and Father. He found such joy in time with his sons as he coached their T-ball teams and was Chief of their YGuides tribes. He leaves his wife and sons with cherished memories of his overwhelming pride at countless soccer games, cross country races, and tennis matches. He volunteered regularly at his children’s schools for lunch duty and often chaperoned field trips. He enjoyed traveling with his family and trips to Disney, Turks and Caicos, Mexico, and Kiawah Island were among the special memories they shared. His loving wife and sons cared for him throughout each stage of the disease assuring that all his needs were met.

Michael was predeceased by his father, James Lange, in 2007. Michael is survived by his wife, Denise (Grzebinski) Lange and their sons, Cameron, and Kyle, all of Raleigh. He is also survived by his mother, Carol Hoy Lange; his siblings, James Lange, John Lange, Barbara Malachefski, and William Lange and his wife Lucy; his sister-in-law, Heidi Hight and her husband John; and his parents-in-law, Richard and Inge Grzebinski. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews, Katherine Stein, Brian Malachefski, Kevin Malachefski, Vanessa Lesnett, Megan Jimenez, Beck Hight, and Ainsley Hight, and four grandnieces/nephews, Charlotte, Logan, Aurora, and Nina. He also leaves behind many friends including his Poker Buddies, Walking Crew, and “Here for Beer” Volleyball Team. These friends never left his side and would feed him when he could no longer feed himself. While his body and voice failed him, he recognized and understood his visitors until his final breath. Special thanks to Bright Horizon Oak City Family Care Home and Transitions LifeCare for their loving care for Michael during his illness.

A service in celebration of Michael’s life was held on Tuesday May 3rd at 9:30am in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh. A video of the service can be found below under the heading of DONATIONS, for those that were not able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD). Please use link below, under Donations.

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