Michael Fevola

1937 - 2018

Michael Fevola

Brick - Michael Fevola, age 81, died on Thursday January 25, 2018 in Hackensack Meridian Brick Hospital, NJ. Michael was born in Elizabeth, NJ on January 15, 1937 and grew up in Kenilworth NJ. After high school graduation in 1954, he joined the US Air Force, completing basic training at Sampson AFB in NY and Aircraft Maintenance School at Amarillo AFB, Texas. Stationed at Eglin AFB, FL, Michael was an aircraft mechanic working on T-37's and F-100's. Here he met his future wife, Susan Hierwarter, who was also in the Air Force as a Statistical Specialist. Mike was reassigned to Rhein-Main AB in Frankfurt, Germany in 1957 and was crew chief for the RB-57, a top-secret reconnaissance plane. He returned briefly to New Jersey where he and Susan were married on October 18, 1958 in Denville. After a brief honeymoon in Florida they returned to Germany and lived near the base, in Morfelden, for three years. They traveled extensively throughout Europe and spent time with his family in Monti di Procida, Italy, a small mountain-top town outside of Naples, with a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples. In 1961, Mike was assigned to Cannon AFB in NM, as an Assistant Maintenance Supervisor for F-100's. In 1962, his unit was deployed to Thailand for four months in support of the Laotian Crisis. They were located at a deserted WWII air base in the jungle and conditions were pretty barren. Later that year his unit went to Homestead AFB in FL during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In January 1963 Michael left the Air Force, returning to New Jersey, and purchased a home in Rainbow Lakes in Morris County. He joined the NJ Air National Guard, first as a "weekender" and then full-time, continuing work as an aircraft mechanic on the C-121 Super Constellations based at Newark Airport. In 1965 the Guard moved to McGuire AFB in Central NJ. Too far to commute, so the family moved to a new home in Brick, NJ not far from the ocean. While living there, Mike attended Ocean County College receiving an Associate's Degree. Working at McGuire he continued as a mechanic on the "Super Connie's moving up in the ranks to Master Sergeant. He was sent to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend school for Flight Engineer Technician. Returning to McGuire, he re-assumed duties as an Air Technician/Aircraft Mechanic and became a member of the flight crew as a Flight Engineer. In 1966-67, he and his unit made several trips to Vietnam ferrying supplies for the troops, and the return trips were medevac flights back to the States with wounded troops. In 1973, he received a commission as Captain after completing a nine-month course at the Academy of Military Science, in Knoxville, TN and was assigned to the 170th Air Refueling Group at McGuire as a Maintenance Officer for the KC-135 refueling aircraft. He attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB in Alabama in 1980, returned to McGuire and assumed the position of Squadron Commander for the 170th. He ultimately attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and in 1993 retired after 40 years of military service. He then worked at Lakehurst Naval Station as a program manager for the F-18 program for several more years.

Mike enjoyed flying radio-controlled airplanes as a member of the Ocean County Modelers. He also belonged to a club that flew indoors in the large hangar at Lakehurst Naval Station. He loved tending to his vegetable garden. Throughout his life, Mike and his family took many camping trips to the New England states, Pennsylvania and meandering across the country to the west coast several times. His family travels took them to 49 of the 50 states. Mike was in Hawaii too, for refueling stops on the way to Vietnam. In 2007, Mike and Susan drove to Vancouver, Canada for a 14-day cruise/land tour throughout British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and Alaska, a return cruise to Vancouver then the drive home. In 2008 all 15 members of the family went to Disney World celebrating Mike and Susan's 50th wedding anniversary.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Michael and Rose (Fernicola) Fevola. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, three children and six grandchildren; daughter Lynn and John Topp of Mt. Rainier MD, their children John Topp IV of Laurel MD, Amanda (Topp) and Alex Gilbreath of Burtonsville MD; daughter Connie and Joseph Giesler of Burlington NJ, their children Jennifer Giesler of North Bethesda MD, Gregory Giesler of Burlington NJ; son Ronald and Natalie (Petoia) Fevola of Carlisle PA, and their children Nathan and Danielle Fevola; his sister Emilia and Bob Gecik and their children Lori Rose-Thompson and Noelle Smeltz; brother Anthony and Barbara Fevola and their children Michael and Gregory Fevola; and brother Vincent and Elaine Fevola and their children Mark, Michael and Matthew Fevola. A viewing was held at Colonial Funeral Home in Brick, NJ, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Brick NJ. Michael was buried with full military honors at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.