Michael Wayne Villano

Michael Wayne Villano, entered this world March 5, 1950 in Somerville, NJ and went home to be with the Lord from Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC on December 18, 2023.

Michael was the son of John Steven Villano and Rose Burd Villano. He enjoyed growing up in Whitehouse Station NJ, graduating from Hunterdon Central High School, Flemington, NJ.

He was the 1968 HCHS Most Athletic and went on to wrestle for Moorhead State (now Minnesota State University) Moorhead, MN. After he returned to NJ to marry his loving friend, Lynn Hatton, he transferred to Rider College, majoring in accounting.

He served as Cost Accountant for Lederle Labs and parent company, Cyanamid, until it closed the Bound Brook NJ, location. He then went to work for the IRS. In the 1990s recession he started by answering phones in taxpayer’s service and retired as Revenue Officer Advisor. He was fond of saying that he worked for a mid-size accounting firm with the motto “We’re here to help you”.

They raised their two sons in Clinton Township, NJ, where they resided 36 yrs. During those years, he gained many lasting friendships through neighbors, church families and friends of his sons.

After retiring in 2013, Mike and Lynn moved to Wilmington NC where he enjoyed years full of new friends and activities. Wherever he went, he drew people in with his easy, always kind and joking demeanor. His greatest enjoyment was being with them and family, whether on baseball trips, gun shows and shooting ranges, kayaking, turtle watch, Sunday lunches, community group, weekend retreats, early morning men’s groups, Christian men’s luncheons, sunset suppers on the beach and last year on a tour of Israel with two other close couples. Even at the extended and regular time he spent at the ‘gym’ (cardiac rehab), he came away with close relationships with those he encountered. In those years too, he also enjoyed more time with old HCHS classmates and family in NC and Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lynn, and their two sons, Marcus and his wife Sarah of Baltimore and David of Wilmington. His sister, Mary Villano resides in Phillipsburg NJ and brother, John and his wife Linda in Cookeville, TN. His sister-in-law, Patricia Hatton, enjoyed his closeness during the years in Wilmington. He was also blessed with the love of other in-laws, Tom (Linda) Hatton and Ron (Tammie) Hatton and of several nephews and nieces, again, with whom he enjoyed many events and laughs. The theme of his life was kindness, making people smile and easy but long-lasting sincere friendships.

There will be a service of celebration of his life and lament for loss of his presence at Christ Community Church, 4555 Fairview Dr. Wilmington, NC 28412 on Saturday, January 20th, 1 PM with a receiving at 12:30. A post-service reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Life Line Pregnancy Center, 4522 Fountain Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.