Michael H. Sapp

The sudden passing of Michael H. Sapp at the age of 50 has left a void in the lives of those who loved him. Today, we gather to remember the joy, warmth, love, and laughter he brought to everyone around him.
Michael H. Sapp was born on April 20, 1974, in Neptune, NJ, to the late Reverend James P. Sapp III of Morristown, NJ, and Reverend Francina Hunter Sapp of Savannah, GA. Michael went from labor to reward on September 18, 2024.
Michael was educated in the Morris County school system. From a young age, he was a gifted athlete. His two loves were football and baseball, and he played on several little league teams. Ultimately, football won out. At 6'4", 220 lbs., his opponents would often run the other way when they saw him coming, yet he still managed to get 49 tackles and nine sacks in his senior year and was selected to be part of the All-Morris County First Defensive Team. After graduating from Morristown High School, Morristown, NJ, in 1992, Michael attended Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York, a college-preparatory school that focuses on athletes with the potential to play collegiate sports. Later, he would try out for the NFL Football Combine but was not selected due to a medical complication.
Michael was a man of many talents. He put the grit and grind he learned in football into his other passion, learning. When Michael decided to do something, he did it. Early in his professional career, he began working at Daytek (later acquired by Ameritrade) as an Application Coordinator, but when he learned he could earn more if he had specific certifications, Michael, without any formal training, studied relentlessly and acquired a Series 7, 63, and 24 other licenses which allowed him to quickly move up in management as he began training others on the job. When Daytek was sold, Michael was able to pivot swiftly and started working at several car dealerships in both the sales and service departments. Having obtained an Auto Technician Certificate from Lincoln Technical Institute in Union, NJ, he used his knowledge to educate and inform customers of the necessity of the service being offered. Additionally, his dynamic and charming personality and warm and inviting smile allowed him to relate to customers quickly and make them feel comfortable with him. This translated into him being able to sell an average of 15 to 20 cars per month. Michael was always trying to expand his learning. At the time of his passing, he had completed all of the coursework related to an Internetwork Engineering Program from PC AGE Careers Institute. He was pursuing multiple certifications to shift his career into the IT industry.
Michael was born into a musical family and began singing with the family as soon as he could form words. The last of five children, Michael's talent for playing the drums began budding between the ages of 2 and 3, picking up everything he could to rock out a rhythm: sticks, pencils, or spoons. His drum set was not his own but one he commandeered from his older brothers. He was relentless in his study and execution of syncopated beats and complicated rhythms. He would play nonstop for 7-8 perfecting his knowledge. To improve his craft, he studied under Joe Morello and Omar Hakim, and his skills earned him an endorsement with Anatolian cymbals. Michael's taste in music was eclectic and often combined gospel, jazz, rock, and R&B, which could be heard as he played and sang. Some of his musical influences include Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, Tony Royster Jr, Commissioned, and Doobie Powell, to name a few. Michael has played at numerous churches, including but not limited to Liberty Baptist Church, Elizabeth, NJ; New Hope Baptist Church, Newark, NJ (Youth Explosion); Messiah Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT, and most recently, First Baptist Church of Linden, Linden, NJ. Michael also traveled on a world tour with the Harlem Gospel Singers, sang with the New Jersey Mass Youth Choir, played in multiple wedding bands, the Rock Band Ronin, and enjoyed going to and participating in jam sessions at the Village Underground and Groove, both in Greenwich Village, NY.
Nothing was more important to Michael than family; he absolutely loved and adored his children, Michael, Joerel, Shamyah, and Shaun. He was devoted to them and cherished the times he spent with them, whether it was playing card games, supporting their extra-curricular activities, attending their athletic events, going to the movies, or just hanging out. He instilled in them the values that were passed on to him to love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might.
Laughter was the main ingredient in Michael's life. He will always be remembered for his contagious laugh, booming voice, melodious vocal ability, love of the San Francisco 49ers, colorful conversations, and his love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior.
Michael is predeceased by his father, Rev. James P. Sapp III, and brother, James P. Sapp IV. To cherish his memory, he leaves his beloved children, Michael M. Sapp, Joerel Watson, Shamyah Owens, and Shaun P. Sapp; devoted mother, Rev. Francina H. Sapp of Morristown, NJ; brother, Robert W. Stephens III of Newark, NJ, sisters Rev. Dr. Elizabeth R. Sapp Jones (Tyrone) of Laurel MD, and Rev. Marcia T. Sapp of Morristown, nephews – James and Tyrone, nieces - Azhia, Candace, Jazmine, Jaime, Danielle, and Emani. Best friend, Ross Alson, and a host of aunts, one uncle, many cousins, family members, and friends.