Michael N. "Mike" Bratz

Bratz, Michael "Mike" N.

Michael "Mike" N. Bratz, 69 of Elmira, passed away peacefully in Palm Coast, FL, on December 29, 2016. He was a son of the late Joseph and Gloria (Kapitanoff) Bratz lastly of Milford, CT. Mike is survived by his daughters Tiffany-Lin and Jamie-Lin Bratz and granddaughter Layla-Lin Campanelli of Elmira, NY; sisters June (Bob) Ewald of Bonita Springs, FL, and Margaret (George) Mayo of Palm Coast, FL; brothers Joseph (Jane) and Charles (Darlene) of Phoenix, AZ, and Alfred (Deb) of Utica, KY; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by his infant daughter Christina of CT and bothers Ronald and Richard of St. Petersburg, FL. He graduated from Woodbury High School in Woodbury, CT, to then honorably serve in the US Navy during Vietnam. Mike eventually settled into the profession of roofing, where he became the proprietor of M. Bratz Roofing Co., established in Waterbury, CT, circa 1970. In the early 90s, Mike decided to live full-time with his family in Elmira, NY, and joined a local roofer's union, where he worked for Evans Roofing Company. A couple years later, Mike left the Union to become a roof inspector for Roof Spec, Inc. Due to a work-related injury, Mike took early retirement from the roofing business in 1994. This life-changing event, however, provided him the time to be a wonderful single father to his daughters. He was also able to pursue his favorite hobbies such as attending racing events, baseball games at Dunn Field, car and cattle auctions with friends, gardening, training his dogs, visiting family, tinkering with cars, and, most importantly, spending quality time with his granddaughter. Mike was a loving (grand)father, a devoted sibling, an admired uncle, a great friend and a caring neighbor. Memorial services to celebrate Mike's vibrant life will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Mike's honor can be made to Florida Hospitals Hospice Care or to a local DAV Chapter.