Funeral with Holy Eucharist & Burial
Obituary of Michael Rawitz
Michael Rawitz, 86, of Morristown, New Jersey, died peacefully in his sleep at daybreak on September 25, 2025.
Michael was born on May 20, 1939, in Hong Kong, then a British Crown Colony. He was the son of Wilhelm and Helena Rawitz (née Zubchinsky) who predeceased him.
Michael was a toddler when the Japanese military attacked Hong Kong on December 8,1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following Hong Kong’s surrender to Japan on Christmas Day, Michael’s family was forced from their home in Kowloon and lived for nearly four years under tremendous hardship until the end of World War II in August 1945.
Following the war Michael enjoyed five idyllic childhood years in Hong Kong until his father’s sudden death in 1950 in Germany while on home leave with his family. Michael’s Uncle Adolph (Dolu), his father’s younger brother, urged Michael’s mother to bring Michael and join him in the United States, Dolu’s own new home since his brother had provided for safe passage out of Czechoslovakia for him and his wife. Michael and his mother bravely embarked together upon a new, very different life, arriving in New Jersey after forty-three days on a twelve-passenger cargo ship.
Michael was a graduate of Weequahic High School, in Newark, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford. Michael’s multi-faceted career began in advertising at the McCann Erickson and Ted Bates agencies. He then moved into product management at Church & Dwight and subsequently account management for corporate printing. He prized his printing years at Lebanon Valley Offset.
A cherished constant in Michael’s life was Fairview Lake YMCA Camp in Newton, New Jersey. Michael often said that the influence of the camp on his life was incalculable. He spent his first summer as a Wakigan camper in 1952, and he returned for eight more years, reveling in spending his summers outdoors, doing all the activities the camp had to offer, and making lifelong best friends. Over time Michael became the camp’s Riflery Director, Sailing Master, and a Unit Director, and so was able to pass on the important skills and values he had learned as a younger boy. Michael was privileged to serve as a member of the Fairview Lake Board of Managers for more than twenty years, retiring as an Emeritus Member. He was proud to have been a Mohawk Chief.
Michael loved exploring and came to know several of New Jersey’s state and national parks like the back of his hand. He treasured The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Jockey Hollow at Morristown National Historical Park, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Michael had a ready smile and a mischievous sense of humor. He had a beautiful speaking and singing voice. He enjoyed classical music as well as the iconic tunes of the 1950s and 60s; Harry Belafonte’s songs were favorites. Michael enjoyed good food and wine, and he was an excellent cook. He learned to prepare the Chinese food that he had known as a boy, and he delighted in making pancake breakfasts, especially on Christmas morning. Michael was an avid reader of histories, biographies, historical fiction, and well-crafted mysteries. He was a master of the New York Times crossword puzzles, and he did them in ink. He loved all animals and birds and was fascinated by wolves. He helped raise two Golden Retrievers, a Border Collie, three baby raccoons, and several dear cats.
Prior to moving to Morristown, Michael lived in Manhattan and then in Chatham and Madison, New Jersey. He served for seven years on the Chatham Emergency Squad, including a term as President, and was proud to become a Lifetime Member.
As a child, Michael was baptized and raised in his mother’s faith, in the Russian Orthodox Church. In New Jersey Michael joined the parish of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, where he served a term as a Vestryman and as a Worship Leader for thirty years. Michael loved his Grace Church family, and he especially enjoyed sharing in the fellowship of the Grace kitchen. He received the David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.
Michael is survived by his family: His wife of thirty-six years, Eleanor (née Maher); his daughter Sara and his son Stuart (Nicole); his stepdaughter Katherine (Robert); five grandchildren; and his in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Michael was supported in his declining health by a multitude of medical professionals and caregivers, for whom he was deeply grateful. Michael was especially blessed by the skilled, loving, and joyful care that he received for two and a half years from his beloved aide, Gladys.
A Funeral with Holy Eucharist and Burial will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Grace Episcopal Church, 4 Madison Avenue, Madison, New Jersey 07940. Following the service Michael’s family welcomes attendees to join them for a reception and lunch in Grace Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Michael’s memory to Fairview Lakes YMCA Camps or ALS United Greater New York:
Fairview Lakes YMCA Camps
1035 Fairview Lake Road
Newton, NJ 07860
givebutter.com/FVL/inmemoryofmichaelrawitz
Or: ALS United Greater New York
42 Broadway, Suite 1724
New York, NY 10004
Arrangements have been made by Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, New Jersey 07940.