This will run in Thursdays democrat but... Uncle monkey we love and miss you more then you can imagine!! Michael D. Torgersen, 53, of Clinton Township, passed on June 13, 2013 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, surrounded by his loving family. He was a graduate of North Hunterdon High School and lived most of his life in Hunterdon County and briefly in the Florida Keys. It was in Florida that Michael married his soul mate Ellie Stramaglia of Somerville, NJ. Together they started Sun City Signs, and from then on he was affectionately known as “Signboy”. He loved being self-employed and the freedom it gave him to express his artistic talents. Michael was a very talented sign painter in the days of free-hand design. In 1995 he moved his business home to Hunterdon to be closer to family. Today much of his work can still be seen around the county. His love of gardening was enjoyed by many because of his willingness to share his large harvest of vegetables and beautiful flowers with others. Their back yard was overflowing with lush plants and a beautiful pond filled with several large koi, each of which was considered a pet and had a unique name. Michael and Ellie both shared a love for animals, saving many who spent the remainder of their lives surrounded by love. Michael was diagnosed with Diabetes when he was only twenty years old. He never let that stop him from pursuing his dreams in life. In 2007 after several months of dialysis and a very difficult battle, Michael was given the gift of life, a kidney, from his younger brother Ron, never losing his will to live. He is survived by his loving wife Ellie of twenty years; his parents, Carmela & Richard Ross of Annandale; two brothers, Bob of Easton, and Ron and his wife Laurie of Wind Gap; two sisters, Toni Hill and her husband Mike of Upper Black Eddy, and Marie Davies and her husband Jeff of Pittstown; a sister-in-law, Irene Stramaglia of Bridgewater; four nieces, Elizabeth, Chelsea, Carly, and Rachel; five nephews, Travis, Shane, Ronald, Mason, and Tanner; and one great niece, Amelia, all of whom knew him as “Uncle Monkey”. He could not have been loved more by anyone who knew him. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his quick wit, and his determination. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday June 22nd at 2pm at the home of his sister which was also his childhood home, 31 Perryville Road, Pittstown, NJ. Toni, Bob, Laurie, Marie, Travis, Carly, Rachel
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:15:53 +0000