Mike spent the beginning of his life in Mashpee, MA and attended school there. He enjoyed hanging out with his large network of neighborhood friends and played for Mashpee Pop Warner football. His siblings and close family friends, the Palmers, would spend entire days exploring the woods of Bournedale throughout their childhood.
Mike moved to Sandwich, MA in the 7th grade and graduated from Sandwich High School in 2010. Mike made an extraordinary number of lifelong friends in Sandwich, whom he happily talked about often. Mike cared deeply for his friends, making his own home and family their own. He even became “Uncle Mike” to his best friend Ross and Taylor’s two boys, and they would light up everytime he stopped by. Of Mike’s friends, he will be especially missed by CJ Niskala, Ross Nelson, John O’Grady, Shane Kopcak, and Kai Dolbec. Growing up, Mike enjoyed riding his skateboard at the Sandwich Skate Park and riding his dirt bikes at his Grandfather’s in Bournedale. He had a passion for music, appreciating a wide variety of genres and artists. Mike and his friends played music in their basements growing up.
Mike was currently enrolled at Cape Cod Community College in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program where he excelled there and spoke often and passionately about. He looked forward to graduating in the winter of 2020 and beginning a career working on airplanes. His father, Dana, from an early age instilled in him a passion for classic cars, talking about them often and attending car shows together.
He was his mother’s first born, and his first love, and her “I don’t have a favorite child” favorite child. He had a life-long love affair with cheese-burgers smothered in ketchup, Kraft mac and cheese, and Grandma’s homemade pizza. He had a knack for losing things that were right in front of him and he was the heart of every room he walked into. He showered everybody around him with his warmth and compassion. He had a “I never know when Mike is being serious or messing with me” sense of humor, always up for humorous antics and getting laughs from whoever he was with. He was accepting of people of all walks of life.
He was a devoted and loving boyfriend to Megan Hughes, of Sandwich MA. Megan had an unconditional love for Mike and cared deeply for him. He shared many passions and interests with her. Mike and Megan had hopes of a beautiful future together and getting a dog of their own soon and would often dog sit for his sisters dogs, Shiloh and Kody; both dogs loved spending time with them.
Much like his Grandpa who also recently passed, Mike had a big heart and a kind soul, always with a smile and never a bad word. The two of them shared a common light that will shine forever.
He is survived by his loving mother Vicki J. Lang of Daniel Island, SC, father Dana W. Harding of Falmouth, MA, step-father Stephen Lang of Daniel Island, SC, sisters Ashlee M. Harding and Natalie E. Harding, both originally of Sandwich MA, his grandmother Sally Gibbs of Sandwich MA, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandfather and grandmother, Warren (Tunney) and Terri Harding, of Bournedale MA, his grandfather Gordon Gibbs, of Pocasset MA, his Aunt, Jennifer MacDonald-Gibbs, of Mashpee, MA, his cousin Jamie Brown, of Bourne MA, and his best friend Jesse DeMeule, of Carver MA.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, February 28th from 4-8pm at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A Sandwich, MA, 02563. A service and burial will follow the next day, the 29th at 10am at Bournedale Herring Pond Cemetery, Bourne, MA, located on Sandy Pond Road, all are welcome. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion in Sandwich from 1-5pm, all are welcome. There is no dress code, so please feel free to come in whatever you feel comfortable in.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mike’s name to the “Herren Project” or a donation of your choice. If you are unable to make a donation, we encourage you to perform a simple act of kindness in Michael’s name.
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