Michael (Thomas) Maffei, 64 years old, passed away unexpectedly on November 24, 2023.
Michael was born and raised in Bloomfield, NJ to Eugene and Mae Maffei on November 22, 1959. He attended William Patterson College where he studied music and played baseball.
In 1982 he met the love of his life, Angela. They married on May 31, 1986 and resided in Bloomfield for the next 13 years. They were blessed with four beautiful children: Michael Angelo, Gina Lauren, Alexandra Mae and Nicholas David.
In his youth he would offer to mow lawns in his neighborhood, this led to him eventually establishing his landscaping business “Mike’s Landscaping”, serving Essex County. His business evolved into snowplowing as well.
Throughout his life he dedicated himself to helping others. He was a summer counselor for the Bloomfield Rec, a coach, an umpire, and a board member for the Bloomfield Northern Little League. Michael served as the house league director, coach and time keeper for the Montclair Hockey Club. He also volunteered at the poles during the local elections.
For most of his life Michael worked at his family business, Valfei Products Inc. where he sold horticultural products and Christmas trees. Many of the locals in Bloomfield gathered and worked at the “Depot” and purchased Christmas trees at the lot on the corner of Broad and Watchung.
Michael loved to play golf and later became an avid fisherman, enjoying time spent on the lake with his wife, his kids and his dog Cookie. He liked to play guitar and watch old sci-fi movies in his free time.
Michael always enjoyed conversing and getting to know the people who surrounded him. He will be greatly missed as he touched the lives of so many. He need only to have met you once and he would never forget you, nor you him.
He was predeceased by his father Eugene, mother Mae, brother Gene, and nephew Jared Dixon.
Michael is survived by his loving wife Angela; Children Michael (Brittany); Gina (Ferid); Allie (Denis); and Nicholas (Emma & Nathaniel Ashkinazi); His sister Marie Dixon; niece Mellie and great niece Adrianna; and niece Jenna Dixon. His sister Donna Clementi (James); niece Jillian; and nephew Chris (Caitlyn & Luke). Niece Samantha Intoppa; nephew Kyle Intoppa (Kelsey & Callan); niece Sarah McDonald (Charlie & Maverick).
Family and friends are invited to gather at Halpin-Bitecola Brookdale Funeral Home at 1284 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 3-8pm. A funeral service will be held the following day, Thursday, November 30, 2023 from at 10am at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 1799 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ, 07470.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ASPCA, Friends of Wayne Animal shelter or the Wounded Warrior Project.