Obituary of George William Michel, Jr.

George William Michel Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on September 15, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Bill, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Irvington, New Jersey on December 27, 1938 to George William Michel Sr. and Marie Krumweide. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. Upon graduation, he began working at Mutual of New York Life (MONY) as an underwriter and serving in the Army National Guard. It was this first year after graduation when he met his future wife Gladys Ransom, an English teacher at Clark High School.

Bill and Gladys married in 1961 and lived in Irvington. Following the birth of their two sons, Bill and his family moved to Morristown, New Jersey in 1969 where they would spend the next 54 years. Bill and Gladys were Colonials through and through. Bill was a member of the Morris Plains Rotary for 40 years and was proud of the work they did and the members who did it. He was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Morristown for nearly 50 years.  His love for Morristown was matched only by his love of spending summers in their house on Martha’s Vineyard. He loved sailing and when family would come to visit and have some “lobstah” and “chowdah”. He appreciated the quiet beauty of the small island and the peacefulness it brought.

Bill was an avid sports fan and loved the Yankees, Giants, and anything involving his Penn Quakers. He coached baseball in the Morristown Babe Ruth league and coached 25 years with the Twin Town Tigers/Jr Colonials football program with his friend Buzzy Flynn and the entire Flynn family. Bill might best be remembered as a fan in the stands. He never missed his sons’ games and very few of his grandsons’ games, whether at the t-ball, high school or college level. His devotion was rewarded as he got to see many championships, titles, and some legendary high school coaches. His love and devotion to his wife and family, supporting any of their endeavors, was what made him a special man. Whether “Grandpa” or “Poppop” his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his prizes and nothing warmed his heart more than seeing them. All of them could turn him into Mr. Softie.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Gladys, his son Bill Michel III and wife Cindy, his son Chris Michel and partner Amanda Richardson, his granddaughter Amanda Desai and husband Nick, grandson Jaden Michel, and great-grandchildren Nicholas and Julia Desai.

A viewing will take place at Dangler Funeral Home at 600 Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains on Sunday, September 24 from 4-7pm. A funeral service will take place on Monday, September 25th at 10am at Dangler Funeral Home, before proceeding to Restland Memorial Park at 77 Deforest Ave in East Hanover for final burial.