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Michael Fowler Obituary
AGE: 71 • Wall Township
Michael Fowler of Wall Township passed away on Christmas morning, surrounded by his loving family at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick. He was 71 years old. Michael was a Professor at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft for 45 years. He was a Professor of Marketing, and also taught advertising and visual merchandising. His true local legacy was as an oceanfront lifeguard, an impassioned career that spanned 51 years. Michael, better known as ""Spike"" in the lifeguard community, started guarding in Avon-By-The-Sea, where he became Lifeguard Captain. His reputation for leadership, management and safety led him to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, where he established a highly-revered lifeguard program. Michael was responsible for executing or overseeing thousands of ocean rescues. Michael was a positioned member of the Pinelands Commission, and led a popular lecture series on the history, culture and ecology of the New Jersey Pinelands. Michael was a graduate of Asbury Park High School. He earned a B.S. in Marketing and an M.A. in Business Education from Seton Hall University. He also held a M.A. in Management from Monmouth University. Michael was born in Summit, lived in Avon-By-The-Sea and Shark River Hills before moving to Wall Township 10 years ago.
Michael is predeceased by his parents Gerald and Lillian Fowler and his sister Patricia McCormick. He is survived by his loving wife Gloria June Fowler (Palmisano), his beloved sons and daughter in law, Stephen Michael and Talena Fowler of Red Bank, and David Nicholas Fowler and girlfriend Jessica Linderoth of Point Pleasant Beach, and his beautiful granddaughter Marin Sage Fowler. Michael is also survived by many dear cousins and devoted friends.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 29 from 11 to 2 and 4 to 8 p.m. at the Reilly Bonner Funeral Home, 801 D Street, Belmar NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary R.C. Church, 424 Lincoln Ave., Avon NJ. Entombment will follow at Saint Anne's Mausoleum, Wall Township. For further information or to send condolences to the family, please visit reillybonnerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the Fowler Family requests donations; information will be listed on the funeral home website.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Fowler
Bern and Kathy olsen
December 23, 2022
Wonderful man loved by many and still is missed
January 27, 2016
Dear Gloria, Steve and David,
Let me add a prayer to all these inspired praises MERITED by Mike for a lifetime of love, especially for his precious family!!! BMalcolm
Mark Lohbauer
January 14, 2016
Although I did not know him, I would personally like to thank Mike and his family for Mike's dedicated service to NJ as a member of the Pinelands Commission. You have our condolences.
Marilyn Oliver
January 8, 2016
Gloria, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that I am thinking of you and praying for you. Love, Marilyn
Susan Rosenberg
January 6, 2016
I am deeply saddened and tearful to learn of Mike's passing. Indeed, he fought a long and courageous battle and for that, he was a winner. My relationship with Mike goes back to Asbury Park High School days when I was friends with his sister Patty. I met Mike in his house the night we girls were watching the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination on TV. Then in the early 1970's, Mike and I were colleagues at Brookdale, and he asked me to photograph his lifeguards on the beach. We had some great laughs with that. One of those photographs is in his Lifeguards of the Jersey Shore. Fast forward to a month ago when I ran into him at Staples. He asked my opinion about getting a camper van. Of course, I replied. Mike's vitality, kind gentlemanliness, sense of humor, excellence and devotedness to Gloria and the boys will always remain alive with me. It was a privilege to know such a fine, accomplished man. Susan Rosenberg
Pat MacKinnon and family
January 3, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vinnie Gorman
January 2, 2016
Mike was a long-time friend as not only did we spend 4 great years together at APHS but not too long after college we both joined the ranks of Brookdale Community College where we were colleagues for over 30 years. As life-long Jersey Shore residents our lives intertwined in yet another fashion as we both prized the ocean and spent many years enjoying Avon's fantastic beach where Mike Captained the Life Guards and Janet, our kids and I were frequent visitors. All those who crossed Mike's path appreciated his devotion to whatever he took on including his tireless efforts to help others whether in the classroom or on the Jersey Shore oceanfront. Mike was the consummate professional whose love for life was contagious to all those he touched. Keep calm and guard on my friend.
Joan Brady
December 30, 2015
Memories of Mike Fowler always make me think of that Don Henley song, 'The Boys of Summer'. That's how I'll always think of him; the quintessential 'boy of summer'.
Back in the late 1960's, when I was one of only two female lifeguards in Avon, Mike was not only my Captain and my boss, he was also one of the most meaningful role models I would ever have in my life.
Once, when I requested to compete for Avon in the Asbury Park Lifeguard Tournament ( and was turned down by the 'Powers that Be' because I was 'just a girl'), Mike really went to bat for me. He argued every angle he could think of to give me a shot at the chance to compete. In the end, I was not permitted to participate in the tournament, but it didn't matter anyway. What really mattered was that I knew Mike had my back; that he believed in me, saw me as an equal, and that, as always, the man was far, far ahead of his time.
So, Mike, here's to you. Rest in peace, my good friend, and know that you are a well-loved man.
[email protected]
Martin McDermott
December 30, 2015
A teacher's teacher, you will be missed.
JR Dawson
December 30, 2015
Thank you for helping us out this summer on Washington ave. It was an honor and pleasure knowing you and competing against you.
Bob Armstrong
December 30, 2015
Spike was a very special and exceptional preson. He will be truly missed. We went to APHS together. I know all our classmates are in his thoughts and prayers. As we previously discussed, he was looking forward to helping me and other classmates on our next reunion. He and I enjoyed our jogs and walks together on the Long Branch and Asbury boardwalks when we would run into each other. My thoughts and prayers are with Spike and his family. May he Rest In Peace.
Bob Armstrong
Roxane
December 29, 2015
I'm deeply saddened to hear of Spike's passing. He was by far, one of my favorite teachers. He was always direct, and genuine. My deepest condolences to his loved ones.
The Cofone Family
December 29, 2015
Dear Gloria and family, Our heartfelt sympathy. May the peace that comes from Spike's memories of love shared comfort you now and forever.
Russ Anderson
December 29, 2015
I first met Spike when I was a rookie park ranger @ seven president's oceanfront park in 1997 and for the last 5 years when I got transfered back. Spike will be sadly missed. I send my condolences to his family
Anita Feldman
December 29, 2015
Dear Gloria and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. In our many years together at Brookdale, he was always one of my favorite colleagues. Sad to lose such a good man.
Ken Cotton
December 29, 2015
I knew Mike well and although we have not spoken in the last several years he was and will always be my friend.Mike was unique, as Life Guard and a person. He will be missed.
Jeanne Becker Laffer
December 29, 2015
I was very surprised and saddened to hear of Mike's passing and wish to convey condolences to his family. I was friends with Mike in grammar and high school. I also saw him again when I was a volunteer for the Monmouth County Park system.
Drew Eastwood
December 29, 2015
Spike,
You will be missed by many. Thank you for having a positive impact on many people I do and do not know. Your legacy will having a lasting impact on our community. Best to Spike's guards, students, friends and family.
December 29, 2015
Dear Gloria,Steven and David and family,
Our sincere est sympathy to you all on the passing of Mike. He was a wonderful man and know you will miss him. Our prayers are with you all and we will always keep Mike in our prayers in the future.
Bern and Kathy Olsen
Michael Weber
December 29, 2015
Professor "Spike" was a great professor. He loved his job. Loved his students. Always cracking jokes. Great co worker as well. Personally for me will be most remembered as the professor I had when I was a student at Brookdale.
Richard M. Edwards
December 29, 2015
Mike was great guy. He made me laugh often. He will surely be missed especially by our Class of 1962.
I visiting family in Tennessee but be assured I will be praying for him and thinking of his family.
Katie Rogers
December 29, 2015
Spike,
You were an amazing professor and human being and I am so lucky to have met you and known you.. You will definitely be missed !
Laurie Masson
December 29, 2015
I am deeply saddened to hear of Spike's passing. He was my professor at Brookdale for several semesters and I don't walk by a single store window without imagining what he would say about their display. One of the few professors I had that really gave me a lasting education. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
John Kirkpatrick
December 29, 2015
Spike, you were a very important person to my son William. Under your tutelage, he became a Life Guard and a man. RIP
Ashley Deno
December 29, 2015
Professor Fowler was the best professor I've ever had and I know a lot of my fellow classmates feel the same. We are so saddened to hear of his passing. Our sincerest condolences and thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Gretchen Girgenti
December 28, 2015
Spike,
It was truly a blessing and an honor to work under your leadership... Not only did you teach us all so many lessons about the water, but so many lessons about life. Those lessons have carried a special place in my Heart over the years... You wil be missed so very much...
My deepest condolences to Gloria & the boys...
With love and admiration...
Gretchen DeGross-Girgenti
December 28, 2015
Gloria,
We are deeply saddened by the news of Michael's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Stephanie, Joe, and family
Maria Mejia
December 28, 2015
Mike was a great person, well respected. We will always appreciate the opportunities he gave us as lifeguards and as volunteer lifeguards. Great memories were made at 7 President Beach Park. May he be at peace. May your hearts find comfort and peace in this difficult time of loss. He will always be remembered. He left his footprints on the beach. May God Bless his Soul and comfort your hearts. The Mejia Family
Cliff J. Hores
December 28, 2015
To Mike's family, Chrissie and I extend our deepest sympathies and offer any assistance we can do. For many years Mike and I worked together on Avon Beach and a few summers in Belmar. Mike was one of those people that you are proud to call a "friend". We shared photographic adventures in the Pine Barrens, rode waves and competed in lifeguard tournaments, and I was proud to be a part of his wedding as an usher. Each year we would reconnect at the Belmar Tournament and it always seemed like time had not passed. We shared a lot of stories, and there are so many of them and laugh.
Mike, you will be missed!
C & D Pescatore
December 28, 2015
Spike, it was an honor to be on your crew and an even greater honor to be considered as your friend. Gloria, Steve and David you are in our thoughts and prayers. He always led by example and looked out for us. A truly positive force in our lives.
Loving Memories,
Christian and Dustin Pescatore
Tom McCrink
December 28, 2015
We're very Sorry for your loss Gloria. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers
Veronica Kenny
December 28, 2015
Michael was truly a remarkable man, and a dear friend. He will be so very missed by those whose lives he touched. Rest in Peace, Mike. My deepest condolences to Gloria, Stephen, and David.
Jim Lawaich
December 28, 2015
Mike,
Thanks for the privilege of knowing you, from Brookdale to Seven President's you aspired and inspired.
Peter Skokos
December 28, 2015
Very sorry to read of Mike's passing; I remember him from my classes at Monmouth and his great help with his classes at Brookdale critiquing my trademark. I never followed up with him in the past 40 or so years but his students where a part of the successful sale of almost a hundred million forms.
We had good times while in class and I am so sorry to read of his passing.
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