Mike was born on January 13, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York. He was one of 10 children of Therese and Wesley Wittich.

Growing up in a large family, a bond was quickly formed. Mike fell into a roll of being a joker, and would always bring a smile to his parents and siblings faces. He kept this role throughout his life. Basketball became his passion early on. He could often be seen on the courts, working circles around others. He played for local leagues with dreams of going pro.

The Fresh Air fund found a young boy leaving the big city to rural Pennsylvania. Mike made some lifelong friends, memories and values, which he always carried with him in his heart. It’s no wonder he was forever a Boy Scout, to which his values and love of outdoors always grew with him.

 At an early age, Mike became a father and stepfather.  To say he was proud of being a father, is a sever understatement. From stage dad to baseball coach, he truly adored his time with Samantha and Michael.

Mike served his country as a Military Police officer. The highlight of his time was protecting / guarding the Mariel Boat Lift; a mass emigrations of Cubans, who traveled from Cuba’s Mariel Harbor to the United States in 1980.

His military service lead him to graduate from the New York City Police Academy, which became Mike’s calling in life. He quickly adopted the Blue way of life, and excelled at it. Being an officer in some of Brooklyn’s toughest neighborhoods, gave him the skills to improve as an officer, while being celebrated for his accomplishments. Who would have thought growing up as his siblings’ bodyguards would pay off!

If pictures could speak, they’d tell an amazing story of the love Mike had for his family. Holiday parties, birthdays and family reunions alike – you could always find Mike giving his all to his family. He undoubtedly adored his nieces and nephews, and their own children as well. “Uncle Mike” has a special meaning to us all.  He was truly someone to give you his shirt off of his back if you needed it.

An easy way to remember him, is to take a walk on a beach during sunrise or sunset. There, he’s surely to be by your side.

Mike is survived by: his son Michael E. Wittich, and daughter in law, Thea M. Wittich; step-daugther, Samantha Chrisman; his brothers Wesley, James, and Richard, his sisters: Therese Schoborg, Karen Horan, Helene DeCamp, Patricia Stone, Elizabeth Butler; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and many, many friends.

Happy Trails.