Michael Vincent DeFontes

Michael Vincent DeFontes, 70, of Palm Beach County, Florida, died Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Key West, Florida. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 16, 1954 to Lila Marie Smith and Wayne K. DeFontes. He graduated from Milford Mill High School in 1972 and kept in touch with many of his classmates and life-long friends from Baltimore. His genuine love for people, especially "older people" began at an early age when his adored grandmother, Margaret (Michael called her mom) would bring him to work with her at Granada Nursing Home, which she originally started in her home. Michael followed his heart, and when his grandmother retired, he became the youngest licensed Nursing Home Administrator in the state of Maryland taking on the enormous responsibility of the family business alongside his Uncle Rob and Aunt Karen. Michael eventually became the owner and Administrator of Riverview Nursing Centre. He was also the North American distributor and part owner of DURA, a world-wide company making and distributing household and professional tool boxes and cabinets for garages. After Michael's early retirement, he and his dad partnered together opening a 50's diner, Mr. D's, as well as enjoyed several other business ventures. One of his later endeavors was Michael McQueen Performance Cars in Palm Beach County, where he placed his valued friends and clients into their dream car.

Michael lived an extraordinary life consisting of beautiful, fast cars, exotic foods, adventurous travel, anything that involved being in or on the water, piloting a plane, great music, great friends, and a cold Mount Gay rum and ginger ale while cheering for his home team, the Baltimore Ravens. He enjoyed driving his NSX, eating oysters and crabs, and he relished Indian cuisine - the spicier the better! He could quote every line from one of his favorite movies, Tombstone. Michael loved music, was an avid concert goer with the best seats, and had a tremendous knowledge of various artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, Little Feat, and The Dooby Brothers (to name a few favorites). Amazingly, he met and shared a lengthy conversation with his favorite Beatle, George Harrison.

Michael never became the "fifth" Beatle, but his real dream of becoming a professional race car driver came true at 28. In an interview with The Owings Mills Times, October 1, 1998, he told the story of how within days after graduating from a four-day session at Bertil Roos School of Motor Racing, he was asked to fill in as an emergency driver on the Ted Hulse team he had been crewing for at the time. His first race was a seventh finish in the Pocono 500 where he covered 150 miles in 45 minutes. Several months later, he drove in the 24-hours of Daytona, and his team placed eighth against other teams with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Sr., and Michael Andretti. Michael was licensed by GrandAm, IMSA, American Lemans, SCCA Club/Pro, and FIA Class B. He was in 300 races around the country including, the Daytona 24-hour, Sebring 12-hour, and races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Watkins Glen, Las Vegas, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock, Toronto, Mosport, etc., and his very last race at Road America in Wisconsin, placing 19th going 100+ mph at 60 years old. He was still known to go 100 mph at 70. Michael enjoyed the thrill of racing and was a great driver (especially in the rain), but it was the stories and camaraderie with other drivers he loved most. He knew and raced with many famous people, and enjoyed telling the story of how he introduced his Uncle Stanley to Paul Newman. Michael was an instructor at Palm Beach International Raceway, and stayed connected with the Triple R Motorsport Ranch team and crew.

Michael could party hard and was "the magic" at any gathering, and he left this life with his autograph on our hearts, but the man behind all the fun and crazy antics was the most caring, gentle, personable, remarkable, generous, classy guy ever. There wasn't a person Michael wouldn't strike up a conversation with, and there wasn't a dog he couldn't love. If you needed anything at all, he gave generously and had a connection to share. Michael always referred to his daughter Nicole as his #1; he loved her beautiful smile. He enjoyed the good times spent with his son, Derek, who was present at many races, and who was named after Derek Bell, one of Michael's favorite drivers. Michael lived and died with a heart full of love for others.

Michael is survived by his loving partner, Linda Pusateri; his two children, Nicole DeFontes, and her fiancé, Brett Putman, and Derek (Kristen) DeFontes; his three stepsisters, Cheryl (George) Abbott, Bonnie Bentley, and her partner, Dennis Bowley, and Carol Gould; his two sisters-in-law, Andrea DeFontes, and Gail (Bob) Warnick; his two nephews, Erik DeFontes and Wesley Warnick; his Aunt Karen DeFontes; his cousins: Todd (Linda) Berlinghof, Eddie (Tara) Heintz, Tim Hynson, Marc (Cathy) Klein, Rusty (Jody) Powell, and Marie Schuller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne K. DeFontes and Lila M. Smith; his younger brother, Anthony (Tony) DeFontes; stepsister, Terrie Leavey; his two uncles, Rob DeFontes and Stanley Klein, and his Aunt Joyce Klein. The above list of names is not complete by any means. Michael touched so many lives. He had a large family and a wealth of friends, who he treasured.

Thank you to everyone who reached out with condolences, and shared your own personal stories and memories. A special thanks to Blake, who arranged a heartfelt, parting farewell for Michael at Sebring. Michael was cremated at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home in Key West, Florida. It was Michael's wish that at an undisclosed date and time his ashes be scattered into the ocean in front of the Breaker's Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida.