Michael Vincent Abbatiello, age 34 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died suddenly but peacefully at home on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Born in Somerville, NJ, on September 5, 1989, he was the son of Anne Regina Kromphold Abbatiello and Michael Joseph Abbatiello, and was a lifelong Hunterdon County, NJ, resident.

A vibrant soul with a larger-than-life personality, a profound love for life, and an unmatched ability to connect with those around him, Michael was a loving and devoted father, son, grandson, brother, soulmate, nephew, cousin, and friend to all. His ability to inspire, lead, and positively influence anyone he met will forever be remembered.

Graduating in 2008 from Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ, he then went on to complete the program at New York Audio Research (part of NYU), which laid the foundation for his future business, Shutter Co. New Jersey.  As the owner and operator of Shutter Co. New Jersey, Michael was a drone expert and his professional photography studio was well-respected. In addition to his business, Michael was a hard-working and proud member of I.B.E.W. Local 102, Parsippany, NJ. Michael’s dedication to his crafts mirrored his commitment to excellence in all things, and he was loved by his colleagues and clients alike.

With a soul as vast as the sky above, Michael’s presence illuminated the world around him. His infectious laughter, unwavering kindness, and fierce loyalty were the pillars of his being. A storyteller through his actions, Michael’s life radiated a beautiful tale of adventure, creativity, and love. From his passion for travel, to his love for cooking and photography, every pursuit was infused with his boundless enthusiasm and relentless drive.

This love of life and exploration was rooted in and drove the title he held most dear, which was that of, “MyDad”. His son, and some would say his “twin”, Christian, was his everything. All Michael did was solely to enrich his son’s world. His pride and joy of Christian echoed through every gesture, every smile, every word of encouragement, every moment spent together. Though his physical presence is now changed, Christian will surely continue to radiate his father’s compassion and genuineness daily.

Family was vital to Michael’s existence. He was devoted to his parents and grandparents, always there for his sister, and was simply the glue that brought everyone together. His passion was infectious, and his big dreams, coupled with his “can-do” attitude, inspired each member of his family to love just a bit harder and to see the world with a bit more hope.

Always one to champion the underdog, Michael’s compassionate heart was a beacon of light in a world sometimes dimmed by shadows. From protecting the vulnerable against bullies, to standing up against injustice, his sense of justice and empathy knew no bounds.

Living a life of adventure and achievement, Michael embraced challenges fearlessly and found joy in learning new things. He was a sports fanatic, from wrestling and playing baseball and football in high school, to weightlifting as an adult, he grew in spirit with everything he put his heart and mind into learning. Despite his always “in-shape” physique, Michael loved to eat everything in sight and cook those very same meals. He had recently mastered making pasta from scratch and was already at the level to challenge some of Italy’s finest chefs! He was also musically inclined, learning both the drums as well as the piano on his own. Woodworking was another hobby which he enjoyed; simply put, anything that encouraged Michael to be creative, he excelled at brilliantly!  He was truly a multi-dimensional force of nature.

It is written, “Love does not die, people do. So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away as best you can.” Though his death was sudden and shocking, it will never overshadow that fact that Michael’s life will forever be remembered as a tapestry of colors, woven with threads of excellence and endless curiosity. His genuine smile, mesmerizing blue eyes, and infectious laughter will forever remain etched in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. May Michael’s legacy continue to inspire us all to live passionately, love wholeheartedly, and embrace each day with the same vigor and zest that he embodied. Rest in peace, dear Michael: Your spirit will forever shine brightly in our hearts, and we will see you as Christian grows into the man you inspired him to be.

Michael was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Regina and John Kromphold; his paternal grandparents, Ann and Vincent Abbatiello; his uncles, Rick Kromphold and Michael Kromphold; and his dear friends, Matt Sanquini and Greg Emanuele.

Surviving are his son, Christian James Abbatiello; his mother, Anne Regina Abbatiello; his father and longtime partner, Michael Joseph Abbatiello and Enza Ricerca; his sister, Sara Abbatiello; his best friend and soul-mate, Nicole Abbondandelo and her entire family whom Michael adored; his aunts and uncles, John Kromphold, Joanie Prestia, Raymond and Donna Abbatiello, and Lisa and Eugene Dolan; his great aunts and great uncles, Minty and John Young, Bonny and Gil Cameau, Mary Grace and Fred Abbatiello, and Florence Conetta; his grandparents through Enza, Arnold and Dora Ricerca; Christian’s mother, Jenny Diliberto Abbatiello; many cousins and extended family; he and Nicole’s “kid”, their Bassett hound, “Pickles”; and many, many friends made wherever Michael went…

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. A vigil service followed by reflections from family and friends will take place beginning at 3:45 p.m. and to which all are welcome.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Rev. Timothy Christy will take place on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Inurnment will follow the mass at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and again, all are welcome.

For those who might be unable to attend in person, the vigil and life celebration services on Sunday will be live-streamed beginning at 3:30 p.m., and the Mass and Inurnment will be live-streamed on Monday beginning at 9:45 a.m. 

You are encouraged to visit Michael’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Michael loved to learn and was always pushing boundaries to grow in all directions of life. He loved to encourage his pride and joy, his son Christian, to follow his heart and learn all he could about anything and everything. In lieu of flowers and to ensure that Christian can follow the path illuminated for him by his dad, a fund is being created to assist with Christian’s education and ensuring his future goals always remain within reach. Those who wish are asked to send checks payable to the “Christian James Abbatiello Fund”, c/o Wright & Ford Funeral Home, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822, or they may be brought to the funeral home anytime. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated by the family.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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