Michael John Brancato

Brancato, Michael John, age 65, of Hawthorne, on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Born in Hoboken, Michael grew up in Oakland and later moved to Hawthorne where he had lived for most of his life. A certified bicycle mechanic, Michael was an avid mountain biker. He rode on many local trails and encountered all kinds of wildlife on his travels including 21 black bears and numerous Timber rattlesnakes. Every year, he made it his goal to ride 5,000 miles. Michael also enjoyed gardening, assembling model cars (earning 1st place in the IPMS Northeastern Pennsylvania Region 2 Convention & Plastic Model Contest), and he loved animals especially turtles and cats.
Michael was the beloved husband of Kathryn (nee Enkemann) Brancato. Brother of Jo Ann Tardibuono and her husband Jimmy of Toms River and the late Joseph Brancato (2023). Brother-in-law of Steven Enkemann and his wife Jackie, Suzanne Hughes and her husband Raymond, and the late John Enkemann. Uncle of Jennifer, Kurt, Janell, Phillip, Erinn, and Stephanie.
Cremation will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tunnels to Towers (T2T), The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge or the ASPCA. Mike was always quick to lend a helping hand. If you are unable to make a donation, please consider an act of kindness, as small or big as you'd like to someone you know or don't know, in honor of him.