September 7, 2023
September 7, 2023
You are so missed. One of the greats!
OBITUARY
It is with deep sadness that the family of Michael Hazen Rutkowski, age 34, announce his sudden passing on Sept.7, 2017, after a tragic accident while traveling with his girfriend in Porto, Portugal
Michael was born in Plainfield, NJ, raised in Somerset, NJ, and lived in Jersey City, NJ. He attended Christ the King Elementary School in Manville, graduated from Immaculata High School in Somerville, and graduated from the University of Delaware. He obtained his CPA in 2006 and worked as a Senior Controller for Persado in New York City.
Above all, Michael loved his family and his friends. He had a passion for travel, adventure and the environment, and he will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Michael is survived by his parents, Michael J. and Ellen F. Rutkowski of Somerset, NJ, his brother Matthew D. Rutkowski of Madison, NJ, his aunts and uncles Dave and Donna Rutkowski of Stanhope, NJ, Charles D. and Chloebelle Blachford of Highland Park, NJ, Esther and Rob Kuhns of Brooklyn, New York, Matthew Blachford of Brick, NJ, Donna Blachford of Monroe Twp., NJ., his 9 cousins and 6 young second cousins, and his girlfriend Rachelle Martins of Jersey City, NJ.
The family invites all friends and relatives of Michael to a Memorial Mass at Mary Mother of God Church, 157 South Triangle Rd., Hillsborugh, NJ 08844 on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael may be made to "Doctors Without Borders" or "Americares".
This memorial website, created in memory of beloved Michael will remain online permanently. Please keep his spirit alive by submitting stories, photos and anything else that reminds you of him.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
September 7, 2023
September 7, 2023
Taken unfairly and suddenly six years ago, you will live on in many hearts and minds forever!
I miss you Michael and will love you always
I miss you Michael and will love you always
September 7, 2021
September 7, 2021
4 years since you left us Michael and life is still unrecognizable. I miss you so much it hurts my being. Your presence brought laughter, love and support to each of my days with you, and for that I will be eternally grateful. While the world has tuned upside down in recent years, I try to think of what you would do, and try to live with a little more hope and a positive spirit.
I wish you were here. I will always hold you in my thoughts with the utmost love!
I wish you were here. I will always hold you in my thoughts with the utmost love!
September 7, 2020
September 7, 2020
3 years... the best and worst day of your life, the best and worst day of my life! This year has been about so much loss, so much isolation, so much grief and so much destruction but I know it would’ve all felt so much better if you had been here to navigate through it with me. My love, my partner, my light - I miss you. You are held dearly in my heart and my thoughts every day.
September 7, 2019
September 7, 2019
In your heart I could see the start of every night and every day
In your eyes I would get lost, I would get washed away
Just as long I was in your arms I could be in no better place
You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, I hang on every word you say
The world tore us apart, baby, I would rather be dead...
After you left me I've been losing control
You walked away with my heart and my soul
I can feel you even when I'm alone
Oh, baby, don't let go
You're the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I ever met
I'm stuck on your heart
I hang on every word you say
The world tore us apart, baby, I would rather be dead
Oh you're the best Michael
I miss you every day!
In your eyes I would get lost, I would get washed away
Just as long I was in your arms I could be in no better place
You're simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I ever met
I'm stuck on your heart, I hang on every word you say
The world tore us apart, baby, I would rather be dead...
After you left me I've been losing control
You walked away with my heart and my soul
I can feel you even when I'm alone
Oh, baby, don't let go
You're the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone I ever met
I'm stuck on your heart
I hang on every word you say
The world tore us apart, baby, I would rather be dead
Oh you're the best Michael
I miss you every day!
September 7, 2018
September 7, 2018
I write and then delete. Write. Delete. I cannot seem to find the words I want to say. I’m so sad you’re gone. I’m even more saddened for your family and closest friends who feel my grief 100-fold, because I know we hadn’t talked in a while. And that fact makes me hurt even more because the opportunity is gone. I will cherish your memeory forever and take comfort when I see you in my dreams. All love.
September 7, 2018
September 7, 2018
My love, it's been a year since I last saw you, heard your laughter, looked into your big blue eyes, touched you, talked to you for hours on end, felt your arms around me.
How can it be a year? It's too short, given it's felt like 10 years of waking up and realizing you're not there, waiting for you to walk in through my door but you never come.
How can it be a year? It's too long, given it feels like last week that we were enjoying our summer and discovering the beautiful Porto.
How can it be a year? It's too short, when there is an eternity to endure before I can hope to see you again.
How can it be a year...?
Your death is mourned
You are missed
You are loved
You are cherished
You'll always be in my heart
How can it be a year? It's too short, given it's felt like 10 years of waking up and realizing you're not there, waiting for you to walk in through my door but you never come.
How can it be a year? It's too long, given it feels like last week that we were enjoying our summer and discovering the beautiful Porto.
How can it be a year? It's too short, when there is an eternity to endure before I can hope to see you again.
How can it be a year...?
Your death is mourned
You are missed
You are loved
You are cherished
You'll always be in my heart
December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of our dear friend, Mike. I miss him very much and send my sincere condolences to his entire family. His life made a tremendous impact on me and my family; especially my brother, Matthew. I can still hear Mike's voice and miss his dry, wonderful humor. Praying for the Rutkowski family during this Christmas season.
November 20, 2017
November 20, 2017
I am so very sorry to hear of Michael's passing. May the Holy Spirit comfort your hearts as you grieve. Remember though, that we will see him again. Let's all live our lives so that we can be united with him again in heaven!
October 11, 2017
October 11, 2017
Mike was so much a part of my family. He and my son were born 3 days apart. Matthew and Mike celebrated their birthdays together since college. Mike was at many family functions including my daughter's engagement. I still here Mike's voice saying only wonderful and kind things. I will miss our friend and our fellow Met Fan! Mike will forever be missed.
October 10, 2017
October 10, 2017
I didn’t know Michael personally but wanted to share some encouraging words. From your comments he definitely lived a productive life surrounded by friends and family who cared about and loved him. I saw that one person left a scripture and I wanted to share another one. 1 Corinthians 15:26 shows we can look forward to a time when death the last enemy will be brought to nothing or eliminated. I’m sure you may be aware of this as you seem to have a spiritual background as well. When we think about it death really is an enemy and it’s unnatural for us to think about anyone and most especially those we love passing away. But we can take comfort in knowing that this wasn’t God’s original purpose for any of us and He will take action in the near future. Until that time deep sympathy—Julia
October 6, 2017
October 6, 2017
I was talking to Michael just a couple of days before he went missed. He was about to come to Crete. He told me three times how excited he was about this journey. He couldn't wait. He also wanted to come to Athens, to the Greek office and see his former colleagues although he had changed job. Michael was a really great guy.
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
Our condolences to the Rutkowski family & to the extended family. Though we have not had the pleasure of meeting Michael, our Rachelle was truly happy knowing him.
External rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
External rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
Mike - You became my favorite junior at MTL. I took you on all my jobs. You were such a great guy, kind, funny, and truly good hearted. I will always think of you fondly. I pray for peace and comfort for your family. Rest in peace Mike.
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
Working together for 5 1/2 years, we developed the kind of friendship I will forever treasure. I had an easy transition working at MTL because you offered your time to teach me the company policies and you offered your friendship while you did not know me. You showed everyone how silly I can be and I slowly became friends to most. During tax season you went on your ways and took care most our audit work so I can concentrate on the other pressing work I had. Thank you for your kindness, your help and your friendship. Rest In Peace my good friend.
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
Thank you so much for putting together this beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry I cannot be there in person today to share my love for Mike and condolences to his loving family and to Rachelle. He was such a close friend during my college days and his loss is felt so deeply. With love and fond memories.
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
To the Rukowski family,
I am sorry to hear of the death of your son Michael may he rest in peace.
My condolences,
Barbra Razzano Masterbone
I am sorry to hear of the death of your son Michael may he rest in peace.
My condolences,
Barbra Razzano Masterbone
September 28, 2017
September 28, 2017
Devastated and heartbroken and sending prayers to Mike's family. You were a wonderful friend and I will always be grateful you were in Ryan's life, even though your time here was not long enough. Rest in Peace Michael.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
September 7, 2023
September 7, 2023
You are so missed. One of the greats!
September 7, 2023
September 7, 2023
Taken unfairly and suddenly six years ago, you will live on in many hearts and minds forever!
I miss you Michael and will love you always
I miss you Michael and will love you always
September 7, 2021
September 7, 2021
4 years since you left us Michael and life is still unrecognizable. I miss you so much it hurts my being. Your presence brought laughter, love and support to each of my days with you, and for that I will be eternally grateful. While the world has tuned upside down in recent years, I try to think of what you would do, and try to live with a little more hope and a positive spirit.
I wish you were here. I will always hold you in my thoughts with the utmost love!
I wish you were here. I will always hold you in my thoughts with the utmost love!
Gallery
Still miss you, love you, and think of you often. I hope you're sitting in on my sessions today!
Michael loved nature and volunteered at this community garden in Jersey City
Light, plants and Groot - things he loved!
Mike and I at Radiohead in 2008. The encore that night was "Videotape."
Two years since we looked over pretty Porto! You are so missed my darling!
Always smiling at another beautiful day in Porto
6 months since you've been gone...
Recent stories
Five years dearly missed
September 7, 2022
How has it been five years since I last saw your face, heard your laughter, felt your embrace, ate a meal with you, discussed some atypical (but cool) topic, walked down a street with you holding your hand, explored a new sight and so much more? Five years, that may as well be 50 years because life has never been the same without you.
I've been holding onto this tiny container of your ashes and last night as I was thinking back to our time in Portugal, a conversation we had about last rites, over a delicious lunch (I did say we talked about atypical things), popped into my mind. So today, to commemorate you and to lay you to rest in a garden as you'd wanted, I scatter your remains in the Brunswick community garden where you so fondly volunteered. Rest in peace my dearest!
I've been holding onto this tiny container of your ashes and last night as I was thinking back to our time in Portugal, a conversation we had about last rites, over a delicious lunch (I did say we talked about atypical things), popped into my mind. So today, to commemorate you and to lay you to rest in a garden as you'd wanted, I scatter your remains in the Brunswick community garden where you so fondly volunteered. Rest in peace my dearest!
38
March 6, 2021
Happy 38th birthday my love! Wish you were with me so I could spoil you rotten on your special day. I miss you so much always.
37
March 8, 2020
Remembering you with a heavy heart and celebrating your life with a smile. Happy 37th Michael! You are missed so dearly and loved so deeply.
Always in my heart - ❤️ ❤️
Always in my heart - ❤️ ❤️