Born on Mulberry Street in Little Italy to Raffaela and Anthony on January 23, 1954, Michael was a proud Italian-American, enjoying family gatherings filled with love, laughter, and, of course, good food.
Michael was a true company man, spending his 30 year career as a Senior Sales Engineer at ASCO Power Technologies, a place where he commanded respect for his loyalty and relationship building, and a career that resulted in many great memories over the years. He was often heard exclaiming, “Why would I ever retire? They pay me to entertain you!” He reluctantly retired in March of 2020.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Michele (nee Antonich) and their two sons, Michael and Matthew. He is predeceased by his parents Tony and Rae Schiumo, and mother-in-law Fran Antonich.
He also leaves behind his sisters, Rosemary Bowen of Forked River, NJ, Angela Mills and her husband Lanny of Freehold, NJ, his father-in-law John Antonich of Fort Mill, SC, his brothers-in-law Steven Antonich and his husband Hardy of Houston Tx, Mark Antonich and his wife Lori of Weddington, NC, as well as his nieces and nephews, Jon-Paul, Rachael, Courtney, Marc and his wife Asia, and Daniel.
He found great joy in the lives of his children, and was always the first one to arrive at Mikey’s soccer games, and Matthew’s football championships and wrestling matches. To Michael his son's education was always very important. He was very proud of their academic and career achievements, and many other accomplishments. Michael was a guiding light, biggest supporter and greatest fan of his two sons Michael and Matthew. He left this life knowing that he and his wife had raised good men, that were both settled in with their careers, and leading happy, healthy lives with bright futures. He was also the proud “Alpha” to Rudy, the family’s treasured Jack Russell, whom he cherished in secret.
He spent over 30 years in Sparta, his true happy place. On weekends, he was almost always found in the yard, taking care of the beautiful home that he built for his family, which his mother often referred to as “a little taste of heaven.”
When he had time for leisure, he enjoyed taking ski trips with his two boys, and beach days with the family. He was an avid sports fan, rooting for the New York teams that his father loved - especially the Yankees. He loved to tell the story of the best weekend of his life - the weekend in June of 1994, when the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup, his first son was born, and he celebrated his first Father’s Day. Those events are, of course, in order of importance.
Michael was exceedingly meticulous, always keen to keep things in mint condition, and perpetually avoiding taking off the tags until the day that he “really needed them.” There was nothing that he enjoyed more than BBQs on the deck, surrounded by his family and friends. Following a tough year of social-distancing, Michael enjoyed reuniting with his family, his last vacation with his wife to Cape May, and reconnecting with friends in 2021. His life ended on a high note, with the knowledge that he provided a beautiful life for his family.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 16 from 1 - 3PM & 6 - 9PM at Goble Funeral Home 22 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871. Funeral mass will be Thursday, 11:30AM at St., Pius X Church 300 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery 56 Cedar Grove Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753.
In lieu of flowers and as a continuation of his kind and giving heart, we ask that donations be made in his name and memory c/o the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, 475 South Street, First Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960, a place for which Michael had tremendous admiration and gratitude. Donations can also be made online at f4mmc.org
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Foundation for Morristown Medical Center475 South Street First Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960
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