Obituary of Michael H Rittenberry

Michael H. (Kane) Rittenberry, age 61, of Bayville, NJ passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Community Medical Center in Toms River.  He died of Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma and COPD. His wife, Annette and sister-in-law, Dawn Pommitz were by his side. Michael was born in Bloomfield and lived in Bergen County until he moved to Ocean County in 1976, settling in Bayville in 1985.  A 1976 graduate of Indian Hills High School, Oakland, he worked in the Auto Body Industry since 1975. He worked in dealership and body shops from Hawthorne to many in Ocean County. His last jobs were at Paintmaster, Toms River and Brookside Collision, Bayville.  Special thanks to the Jacobson Family and Caliber Collision for their kindness and consideration during his long illness. Michael enjoyed cars, rock and blue grass music, camping, vacations and long weekends away. He was devoted to his many pet cats and dogs over the years.  He had many great friends, especially Tony and Missy Zaccaro, Andrew and Nancy Keczrkemethy and Joe, and Mary Ellen Zaccaro. Michael was a very hard worker, devoted to his employer and to providing for his family. He went out of his way to help others and was a kind and gentle person. Michael is predeceased by his father, Joseph Kane, of cancer in 1960.  His mother Betty nee Kohlman (Kane) Rittenberry, his second father, Charles Rittenberry, and is brother-in-law, Ethan McKew. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Annette nee Kolakowski and four siblings, Kevin (Patti) of Cream Ridge, Bob (Marie) of Texas, Dennis of Alaska and Susan McKew of Georgia. He is also survived by his parents-in-law, Eugene and Eleanor Kolakowski of Warren Grove; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Michael Wydra of Myrtle Beach; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gene and April Kolakowki of Weymouth; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Kim Kolakowski of Alabama; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dawn and Andy Pommitz of Barnegat.  Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be missed by his dogs, Scrappy Doo and Sophie, and his cat, Elphaba. “I love you best.”

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