Michael George Takacs, of Wilmington, DE, died unexpectedly at home on June 24, 2024 at the age of 68.
Mike was born in 1956 and lived with his family in Drexel Hill, PA until June 1957, at which time they moved to Holmes, PA. Mike attended Ridley High School in Folsom, PA; he graduated in 1973, second in his class, and gave the salutatorian speech at his commencement. He attended the University of Michigan, during which he became a proud Phi Delta Theta brother, earning the affectionate nickname TBM (The Big Man) and having the time of his life.
Mike then began a career in the travel industry, first in Wilmington, DE, then Timonium, MD, and finally in Columbia, MD. He particularly enjoyed working as a ski instructor, primarily for groups traveling to Colorado, where he could indulge in one of his favorite hobbies, skiing. He added DJ to his resume and for many years put his encyclopedic knowledge of music and his MC talents to great use at a variety of celebrations, later adding Country Line Dance Instructor to his entertainment toolbox. More recently, he worked as an inventory and data entry representative for an automobile database shared by various car dealers in Delaware and Maryland.
Mike was known to friends and family alike as a pleasant, gregarious person who could always bring a smile to your face no matter what circumstances you were in. He was an avid sports fan, maintaining a lifelong loyalty to his Philadelphia professional and Michigan college sports teams, no matter where he lived.
Mike is survived by his mother, Anna Kennedy of Wilmington, DE, his brother, Ted Takacs, Jr. (Marcia) of Lexington Park, MD, and his sister, Janine Shay of Wilmington, DE. He is also survived by nephew Scott Shay (Shannon) of Richmond, VA, nieces Laura LaRocco (Steve) of Madison, OH, Sammi Shay (Quinn Menchetti) of Chicago, IL, and Kerry Shay (Dylan Pravato) of Ocoee, FL, great nephews Sam, Ben, and Joey LaRocco, and great niece Meg LaRocco. He was predeceased by his father, Ted Takacs, Sr.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. A Visitation will be held prior from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Interment will be private.
To honor Mike’s lifelong love for dogs, memorial contributions may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 165 Airport Road, New Castle, Delaware 19720, https://faithfulfriends.us/donate/.
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