Michael D. Black

Michael Douglas Black, 76, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 18, 2025, in Wallingford, Connecticut. He had recently relocated to Wallingford to be closer to family after spending nearly 30 years in Florida. Michael was born on August 1, 1948 in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, a son to the late James and Sara (Phifer) Black. Michael graduated from Peabody High School in 1966 and earned his degree from Northeastern University in 1971. A dedicated and accomplished professional, Michael ran a successful tax accounting practice for over 30 years. He took great pride in having served two generations of clients, many of whom became close friends, including students from his karate dojo. An avid baseball fan, Michael's love for the game was evident throughout his life. He was the captain of his high school baseball team, played Babe Ruth League baseball for three years, and later coached a championship-winning Little League team in Marblehead, Massachusetts. In 1968, Michael began his lifelong journey in karate, traveling to Japan several times to earn the rank of 6th-degree black belt in traditional Renshinkan karate. In 1989, he established a dojo in Inverness, Florida, which continues to thrive today. Over the decades, Michael served as a beloved sensei to hundreds of students, fostering a global karate family spanning the United Kingdom, Finland, Puerto Rico, and Japan. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Angela Black, and his children, of whom he was incredibly proud: his son, Chris Black (Heather), Senior Director of Research Computing at The New York Genome Center; his daughter Andrea Black, freelance creative and professional driver for touring artists; Saki Mizokawa, an administrative assistant at the U.S. Embassy in Kobe, Japan, who was like a daughter to him. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Grey (Don); his brother, Rick Black (Kathy); his cherished grandson, Spencer Black; and many nieces and nephews. Whether as a husband, father, coach, sensei, or friend, Michael enriched and influenced countless lives with his unwavering presence and thoughtful guidance. He often said that we should strive to "Be like water." His life truly embodied the wisdom of water: adaptable, enduring, and profoundly impactful. Even though he is no longer with us, the ripples he created will continue to flow through all of the lives he touched. Michael's family will receive relatives and friends in the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., on Wednesday January 29, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. His funeral celebration will be at 3:30pm in the funeral home. Interment will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday March 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at The Library Wine Bar and Bistro, 60 N. Main Street, Wallingford, CT In honor of Michael's legacy and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a cause close to your heart. For online condolences visit www.wallingfordfh.com To send flowers to the family of Michael, please visit our floral store.