Michael Stuart Citty

MICHAEL STUART CITTY

June 8, 1939 – June 15, 2024

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”

Michael Stuart Citty, our beloved Father, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024, in Roswell, NM. He was surrounded in love by Mark Citty, his son and best friend, and Mary McGee, his first love and lifelong friend.

Dad will be remembered for his sense of humor and sense of style, his gentleman’s handshake, his hellos, his smiles, his advice, his intelligence, his candidness. He was genuinely funny and he knew it. Our laughter only encouraged him to continue and that’s when it was on. He loved to make people laugh. He was a little ornery too but truly a gentleman to all. We will miss his smiles, his stories, his advice, the time he spent with us just to talk. Dad was quite creative. He loved stained glass, wood burning and writing stories. He had the most beautiful handwriting. When we were young, he would draw pictures for us. Most of the drawings were of monsters, but they always had a smile on their faces. Dad loved to read and kept a log of the books he read, along with ratings and notes. He had a diverse taste in music, from Waylon Jennings to Pink Floyd. He made the best posole and taught us every which way to cook a tamale. From a Corvair to a station wagon to a 280-Z, he loved his cars. He was a bit of a treasure hunter at heart and would always be the one to find an arrowhead or a Pecos Valley Diamond. He loved working in his yard and enjoyed the birds’ songs.

As most of you know, Dad loved golf. And golf loved Dad. He played on over 100 golf courses. If he wasn’t playing golf, he was watching golf tournaments on TV. He was a happy man with his clubs, his Tee Time and his friends. He would be very proud and honored that his name has been memorialized on Hole #6 at the Roswell Country Club.

Dad loved his friends. You made him laugh, you made him hit that ball farther, you encouraged him, you visited him, and you loved him. To all of you - from his youth to his college days to his professional CPA days to his retirement days to the end of his days – thank you. You enriched his life, as we know he enriched yours.

Michael Stuart Citty was born in Roswell, NM, on June 8, 1939, to the late Floyd Franklin Citty and Gertrude Keith Citty. He was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy Jean (Bob) Dixon and Nancy June (Marvin) Shaw. He was joined by his oldest sister Betty Joan (Lawrence) Taylor six days after his passing. He was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Valorie Michelle (Mark) Citty and grandson Mitchell Stuart Citty.

Mike is survived by his son and best friend, Mark Citty; his loving daughters Michelle Citty (Jerry) Spain; Jordan Fontaine (Craig) Batte; his loving grandchildren Matthew Spain, Keira Citty, Grayson and Toryn Batte. Mike is survived by his loving brother and remaining sibling, William Stephan Citty. He leaves behind his faithful, furry companion Girlie.

This poem was found tucked in one of Dad’s notebooks. As we read it with tears in our eyes, we could hear his voice telling us:

“When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room –

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little –

But not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared –

Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone.

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me but let me go.”

 

Please join us to celebrate the life and memory of

Michael Stuart Citty 

(Citty Slicker) 

Saturday, August 17, 2024

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Roswell Country Club

2601 Urton Road

Roswell, NM

 

The family would like to thank Denise Dusek at Enhabit Home Health for her kind, compassionate care; Mike Garcia and Takiesha at Gentiva Hospice and Pastor Tim Arlet for their compassion, guidance and comfort. 

Thank you to Rosanna Grajeda for her smiles, care and sandwiches.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Mike’s name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.