Michael Joseph Gittemeier
July 1, 1961 ~ January 12, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Michael left this earth peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2009. The power of the full moon helped to pull him out of his suffering in this world and onto the next. He was fortunate to be surrounded by the comfort of his loved ones.
Michael was born on July 1, 1961, in Lafayette, IN, to the late Joseph and Sylvia Gittemeier. Michael was an accomplished athlete at Fairport High School, Fairport, NY, and earned a football scholarship to SUNY Brockport. Following college Mike moved to Asheville, NC, where his love of art motivated him to enroll in the City & Guilds of London Institute of Decorative Painting Program via A.B. Tech. Mike was among the first students who graduated from this program earning an advanced certificate and eventually earning Licentiateship 1995 from his experiences in his trade.
Following his graduation he worked as a historic restorative decorative painter for about 12 years. His craft allowed Michael and his family to travel all across the U.S. Michael worked 4 state capitols (MI, AL, WI, & OH) and many historic sites (Ca'D'Zan, Sarasota FL, St. Mary's Church; Mt. Angel, OR '95, The Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN '93). Because he was a Master Craftsmen, he was often able to bring his wife Julee and son Haydn on these adventures. They lived in such beautiful places as Cape Cod, Utah and Minneapolis. Mike was a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, NC. He always had an art project going on whether painting, carving or stained glass.
Michael was a loving and devoted husband to Julee, his wife of 22 years. He was also the very loving and proud father of Haydn.
Michael always lit up whatever room he entered. His sense of humor and story telling abilities were legendary among friends and family. He will be sorely missed by all.
In addition to Julee and Haydn, Michael is survived by sisters Michele Gittemeier of El Segundo, CA; Edwina Gittemeier and Theresa Gittemeier, both of Asheville.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting Mr. Gittemeier's family.
Mike was the greatest brother a girl could have. The happy times we shared will help get me through the pain and sorrow of his much too early death.
Julee and Haydn are in my thoughts. I know that we will share many more happy times together and Mike will always be with us.
I love you brother!
To Edwina and Family:
I was sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My thoughts are with you.
Guy Pruett
Please accept our sincerest condolenes in this shocking and premature loss of your husband,father,brother,uncle, and beloved nephew. Michael had a sweet and loving soul that can instruct us all in the art of living, loving, and giving.
We miss him so much already.
Love, Aunt Sue and Uncle Tom
Julee; I was so shocked to see michaels obituary in the paper. I was a dear friend to his father Joe when he resided at Emerald Ridge. I am so sorry for your loss, please let me know if I can be of any assistance for you in this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. Kathy Carver
To Michael….I know that you will find the peace that you so deserve.
To his wife Julee and son Hayden…I am Michaels cousin, I am very sorry for your loss. I know that it is not easy losing someone that you love…I loss my father Henry Siedlik, Helens brother, it was very unexpected as he was in good health, so I understand and I shall pray for both you and your son. If you look you will find Mike all around you..he will always be with you and you will meet him again.
Much Love to the both of you,
Kathy Siedlik Gallizzi
Julee and Haydn, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts.
I remember my first introduction to the Gittemeier family 20 plus years ago. What a warm, inviting, friendly group they were! I am thankful for this long friendship. I am so sorry about Mike. This has been a difficult 2 years for you all and now another sadness. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike was a great brother, I have always kept with me many of his stories and encouraging words, I know he will be around from time to time to still give them. Mike helped raise a wonderful son and had a great devoted loving wife. I am so sorry for your loss Hadyn and Julee, I will be there for you two whenever needed.
Theresa (sunshine)
I remember Michael from Fairport days(I was class of 1978). I send my sympathies to Julee and Hadyn; although it seems that you all enjoyed a creative and bountiful life of experiences together. The early loss of someone you love is heartwrenching and for that I wish God’s healing blessings on you for the future.
I’m so sad that my cousin Michael left everyone so early in life.
I have such fun memories of him having to put up with me when we were young. Poor guy, how he kept a smile on his face when all I did was talk thru his tv shows, I’ll never know.
Love you Mike. Hugs to Julee and Haydn.
Edwina –
I was so sorry to hear that Mike had passed away. My cousin Dave Garland mentioned it today in an e-mail. Though I haven’t seen any of you in years you all hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget hangin at the Gittemeier’s. It was a home like no other. Always filled with an eclectic energy. I remember hangin in Mike’s room with you listening to the Eagle’s album ‘Hotel California’. He had an energy that just made you want to be around him. You all did. Edwina, Michele, Teresa, Julee and Haydn I truly believe that his spirit will live on in all those who loved him.
God Bless-
Mary Beth Urckfitz-Galunke
Our payers and thoughts go out to family and friends
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. My prayers are with you all.
We will all remember Michael for his loyalty and love for his family and perserverance in spite of continuous pain. We thank Michael for giving Haydn a wonderful start on his ‘road of Life’.
Michael had great artistic talent and used that ability to preserve and restore many historic structures, as well as individual artistic creations which will provide pleasure to many people.
We join in sorrow for the family and friends of Michael, and continue our deepest love and support for Julee and Haydn.
Dear Gittemeier Family, We are so sad to hear of Michael’s death and want you to know that we are thinking of you all and send our love. Sharon has the fondest memories of Michael a long time ago in Penfield (1970), NY when we were all just little kids. Oh, the trouble we would get into as we roamed the neighborhood! Today Edwina and Sharon were remembering those times and it brought back such great feelings. Thank you Michael.
Love, Sharon, Darren and Kristina Lee
Dearest Julee & Haydn,
Julee although it has been many years since I last saw you and have never met Haydn, my thoughts has been with you both on the loss of Michael. I hope you are finding comfort & peace today in knowing others care. Fondly, Patsy Tarola (use to be Waller)
Michael became a part of our family 22 years ago when he was fortunate enough to marry my sister Julee. Over the years it became quite apparent how deep his devotion was for Julee and I will always be grateful for the way he treated her. Together they helped raise a wonderful son and together they have endured the joys and hardships that life has given them. But always together. For 22 years.
We will miss you Michael, you were a dear friend and family member, but we will also celebrate knowing that you have found your peace.
We love you and send all of our love to Haydn and Julee.
Gary, Beverly and Kerri Allen
Wilmington, NC
We were shocked to hear of Michael’s death. We know that he rests in pain free peace and calm now. As neighbors for many years now we have enjoyed seeing Mike, Haydn, Julee and Dexter pass by our house on the way to play endless ‘throw and retrieve’ tennis ball sessions in the lot next door. We will miss the spontaneous glass of wine with you both on our porch. It will be these simple everyday memories that will never leave you and will comfort you in the days to come. These daily interactions and remembrances will keep him forever in your heart. The world has lost a creative, kind and funny man! I will think of him on every full moon. love to Julee, Haydn, and the rest of the family.
Dear Gittemeier Family:
I have had the privilege to know Mike since the 5th grade. Mike had a wonderful sense of humor. As someone else wrote, he did in fact light up the room when he walked in. Mike had the confidence to not worry about what others thought of him and the courage to stand up to those who were wrong.
I will always remember Mike with fondness and know that others who knew him will too.
God Bless all of you.
Dearest Julee & Haydn:
Unfortunaly I never had a chance to meet Michael, but I know he was special because you loved him.
You are in my prayers and I love you both.
Aunt Glenda
Our sympathy and best wishes to your family during this difficult time.
Jim Fox, Gail Asheburn
I am a former classmate of Mike’s. I knew him thoughout Martha Brown and Fairport High School days. There is no doubt that he would lighten any room he was in. He helped several of us to get thru the daily school grind with his humor. He had a great knack for getting everyone laughing, including the teacher (which kept him out of trouble). He was one of only a few people that were on my list of who I wanted to be in my class each year. When we received our schedules over the summer, one of my first thoughts was ‘I hope Mike is in at least one of my classes this year.’ Miss you Mike.
It had been so long that i had talked with mike. A great friend thru high school and great family. I wish i had been able to talk with him one more time. We had great times together and will always keep his last e-mail. were he said you have to take each day because yo don’t know how many you have. To Julee and Hayden, though i have never met you, me deepest sympathies. You had the chance to have the best husband and father. I know thats how mike was. To Michelle, edwina and teresa, i don’t know what to say but god bless you.
I’ll never forget Mike
with Love Dave Garland
He was a very authentic, cool, down-to-earth person who my husband and I have really enjoyed getting to know as our neighbor and friend. We miss him a lot and are here for you, Julie and Haydn, if you need us for anything.
I met Mike at Monroe Community College in 1980. Mike immediately took me er his wing and brought me into his circle of friends. His family, too, opened their doors to me and had me over for dinner. I’ll always remember his winning smile and love of life. We had lost touch for many years now and I was searching for him, hoping to reconnect and was shocked to learn of his passing. I pray for peace for his family and loved ones.