Michael Hartung

LONDONDERRY, N.H. – Michael Hartung, 69, of Londonderry, passed away surrounded by his loving family on the early morning of Jan. 25, 2022, after a battle with liver cancer.

Michael was born in Weisbach, Germany, on Oct. 29, 1952, oldest son of Willi and Jutta Hartung. Michael spent the first five years in his hometown until he moved to the states with his parents and they later had his brother Mark and sister Monica. Michael graduated from Coney High School in Augusta, in 1971. He was drafted and served the U.S.A. Coast Guard and was stationed locally in New England. In 1976 he moved on to be a disc jockey at WSKW, a radio station located in Skowhegan, which today is known as WTOS. In 1977 he met his wife Nikki Ouellette at WSKW, and they later married Jan. 13, 1979. They have one beautiful daughter, Stephanie (Hartung) O’Gara.

Leaving the radio station, he took the civil service test to become a police officer in Skowhegan. He became a narcotics undercover detective comically known for a lime-green car and his co-workers called him Miami Mike. Michael then started working for contracts for the government in the ’80s at which time he and his family moved around to different places. Arkansas where he survived two tornados; Detroit, Mich.; Mt. Sterling and Lexington, Kentucky; Bedford, Acton and Dracut, Mass. Furthering his career, he went to night school for college classes and graduated Summa Cum Laude at Northeastern in Bedford, Mass., in May of 1988, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business. He finally settled down in Londonderry, N.H., in 1991 and received his master’s. He later went on to work for Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass., for the past 30 years and passed before he could retire.

His hobbies were singing and playing his guitar. He enjoyed cooking and special nights he’d whip up his famous chili. He’d talk about his childhood in Germany and passed on words he knew how to say in his native tongue. He was as colorful as his shoelaces, cheerful, and so benevolent. When he was at his best health he was fond of running marathons and swung a few holes of golf. He enjoyed being outside in nature and was a jack of all trades, skilled builder, painter and his knowledge of things was infinite. He didn’t talk a lot; he was more of a listener unless he had something to say but his actions spoke volumes. He had a witty sense of humor, gave good sound advice, was always encouraging, uplifting and always a genuine comforter. Anyone who met him saw his ebullient personality and never said a bad word because he was so well liked and respected.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he is called Opa meaning “grandfather” in German. Michael’s daughter Stephanie and grandkids viewed him as a generous kindhearted man, a shoulder to lean on, wisdom in his words and love in his eyes. He was a patient father with amazing lessons and knowledge to pass on to his daughter. He barely raised his voice because when he spoke people listened. He was the glue that held our family together, he never complained and always was there to help with whatever problem for anyone. He was a selfless, gentle soul, a hard worker, a resilient man, a problem solver whenever troubled struck, a fantastic brilliant man with so much compassion and so much love to offer. To my family he was stable and secure, he was the only home we’ve ever known.

Michael was predeceased by his father, Willi Hartung; his father-in-law, Wilson Ouellette; and great-grandson, Jayce Christopher Boumil.

Michael is survived by his mother Jutta Hartung; wife, Nikki (Ouellette) Hartung; his daughter Stephanie (Hartung) O’Gara; his son-in-law Domenic O’Gara; nine grandchildren: Derrick, Kendra, Erica and Cassandra (Hartung) Boumil and Cassandra (Broyles) LaFreiner, Joshua, Katherine and Nicole Broyles, and Gabrielle O’Gara; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Mark Hartung; sister Monica (Hartung) Beckham; and his nieces and nephews, whom he loved and cherished very much. He was a wonderful, caring and giving son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in law, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He will be greatly missed and his memory treasured. We’re not lucky, we’ve been incredibly blessed to have a tender man like him in all our lives.

May you rest in infinite peace with our Creator. Your work is done, Opa.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Village Cemetery, Peltoma Ave., Pittsfield, Maine. Military honors will be presented for his service. Anyone is welcomed to attend this service to pay their last respects to Michael. You may bring flowers, donation or just yourself.

To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield.