Michael Augustine McTighe, Jr.

Michael Augustine McTighe, Jr., 71, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Frederick, Maryland.

A gift to his parents, on their first wedding anniversary, Mike, son of Michael Augustine McTighe, Sr. and Catherine Monica McTighe, was born on August 11, 1952 in Teaneck, New Jersey. Later, he became an older brother to his siblings Patrick, Brian, Kevin and Terence. After the McTighe family moved to Rockville, Maryland in 1963, Mike attended school at St. Jude’s Catholic Church then went on to graduate, in 1971, from Robert E. Peary High School.

In grade school, Mike’s dedication to his community began to show when he was recognized for saving a fellow student from drowning, while on a field trip. At the age of 15, Mike began volunteering as a Junior Firefighter at Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Station 21, where he volunteered for 10 years. In 1971, Mike joined the United States Air National Guard. He served for nearly 10 years, starting as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist and he worked his way up to Crew Chief Specialist at what was then known as Andrews Air Force Base, or as Mike wittingly called it, “Andy’s Acres”. When he became a civilian, he worked as a Supervisory Quality Assurance Specialist for the Defense Contract Management Agency, overseeing government airplanes for many years before retiring in August of 2012. As an Air Force Veteran, he became a life member of American Legion Post 46.

For the past 33 years, Mike volunteered at the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, where he most recently served as the alternate Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Delegate and former executive director on the board. He was a representative for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, a Life Member at Sandy Spring VFD, and enjoyed his role as the Department’s annual Santa Claus for many, many years. In 2017, Mike received the Spencer J.H. Brown Sr. Outstanding Service Award, which is the Department’s highest honor. Pending approval, Michael will be acknowledged as one of Our Fallen Heroes.

Mike’s contributions to his communities was an extension of his service to God and his Catholic faith. Mike was a long time member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Rockville and always remained true to his faith. In his later years, he became a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church, in Chambersburg, PA, where he was a member of their Parish Council.

Mike will be remembered for his service to the United States of America and to his local communities. He was passionate about his country, and the fire department, and always put others before himself. His philosophy was “service before self”. He will be especially remembered, by his family, for his presence, love, devotion, and support. Mike embraced his role as the oldest brother, always willing to lend a hand, and set an example, as the leader of the pack. He was the favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews whose activities, competitions, sacraments, and life events he regularly attended. He loved to travel to Ireland, his ancestral home, and became a dual citizen while still in his 20’s.

Michael was predeceased by his parents Michael McTighe, Sr. and Catherine McTighe; and his brother, Kevin McTighe. He is survived by his brothers, Patrick McTighe, Brian McTighe, and Terence (Michelle) McTighe; nieces and nephews, Patrick Jr., (Billie Jo), Brendan, Kevin (Catherine), Thomas (Katelyn), Shane (Allison), Philip, Meghan, Kelly, Kathleen (Mark) Walsh, and Matthew; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 2900 Olney Sandy Spring Road in Olney, Maryland followed by the Rite of Committal at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department (www.ssvfd.org/support/donate) in Mike's name.  Please check "Dedicate This Gift".  All donations will be used to continue the Santa Run efforts to which he was so dearly dedicated.