Obituary for Michael Joseph "Mike" Trombley
Michael Joseph Trombley (Mike), 61, passed away with his family by his side on May 11, 2022 at UVMMC following a brief illness. Mike was born in Burlington on October 26, 1960, the son of Joseph and Constance (Ashton) Trombley. He graduated from Essex High School and the automotive program at CTE in 1978.
He had a lifelong passion for cars and dreamed of one day restoring his 1975 Datsun 280Z. As a mechanic, he met his wife of 37 years Dale Elisa (Fertick) in 1982 when he came to her aid, towing her car and offering her a ride home. They were married on September 21, 1985 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Essex Junction, VT. They built their life together in Essex and raised their children just five miles from his childhood home. For many years he had a property
maintenance and landscaping business, taking special pride in doing extra handyman jobs for his elderly clients. He was an extremely hard worker which was best demonstrated through his footwear. His children have many memories of him coming home with green, grass stained shoes and socks at the end of a long day mowing, or stopping home during a snowstorm to plow the driveway for his wife before work and to switch out his wet winter boots for a dry, warm pair from atop the heater. The only time you’d catch him without work boots was around a campfire (he loved to go camping with his family in the summer) or while “resting his eyes” with his slippered feet propped up on his desk. Mike loved to listen to talk radio while working on projects in his garage or on long drives in his truck, and could be found every Sunday watching NASCAR rooting for Dale Earnhardt. He also enjoyed spending time with his brother Peter, watching the History Channel, and reading- especially western books.
Mike is survived by his wife Dale; his four children Amanda, Kyle, Michele, and Abigail Trombley (and their partners); brothers David Trombley (Linda) and Peter Trombley (Sandy); sisters Susan Gourley (Steve), Debby Wright (Ron), and Darlene Falls (Bill); brother-in-law Dave Demag (Lydia); sisters-in-law Kim Deslaurier (Wayne) and Merrie Ford and their stepmother Jacque Fertick; and many nieces and nephews. He will be especially missed by his three beloved cats Runa, Eddie, and Smoke, who were his constant companions and sources of joy.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Constance (Ashton) Trombley; older sister Donna (Trombley) Demag and her son David Demag; father-in-law Murrell Fertick; and mother-in-law D. Jean (Delcamp) Fertick.As his loved ones know, Mike did not like a fuss being made about him. There will be no memorial service. A celebration of life will be held at a later time. Please think fondly of him as you take a long, winding drive or find a quiet moment of solace in nature.
He had a lifelong passion for cars and dreamed of one day restoring his 1975 Datsun 280Z. As a mechanic, he met his wife of 37 years Dale Elisa (Fertick) in 1982 when he came to her aid, towing her car and offering her a ride home. They were married on September 21, 1985 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Essex Junction, VT. They built their life together in Essex and raised their children just five miles from his childhood home. For many years he had a property
maintenance and landscaping business, taking special pride in doing extra handyman jobs for his elderly clients. He was an extremely hard worker which was best demonstrated through his footwear. His children have many memories of him coming home with green, grass stained shoes and socks at the end of a long day mowing, or stopping home during a snowstorm to plow the driveway for his wife before work and to switch out his wet winter boots for a dry, warm pair from atop the heater. The only time you’d catch him without work boots was around a campfire (he loved to go camping with his family in the summer) or while “resting his eyes” with his slippered feet propped up on his desk. Mike loved to listen to talk radio while working on projects in his garage or on long drives in his truck, and could be found every Sunday watching NASCAR rooting for Dale Earnhardt. He also enjoyed spending time with his brother Peter, watching the History Channel, and reading- especially western books.
Mike is survived by his wife Dale; his four children Amanda, Kyle, Michele, and Abigail Trombley (and their partners); brothers David Trombley (Linda) and Peter Trombley (Sandy); sisters Susan Gourley (Steve), Debby Wright (Ron), and Darlene Falls (Bill); brother-in-law Dave Demag (Lydia); sisters-in-law Kim Deslaurier (Wayne) and Merrie Ford and their stepmother Jacque Fertick; and many nieces and nephews. He will be especially missed by his three beloved cats Runa, Eddie, and Smoke, who were his constant companions and sources of joy.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Constance (Ashton) Trombley; older sister Donna (Trombley) Demag and her son David Demag; father-in-law Murrell Fertick; and mother-in-law D. Jean (Delcamp) Fertick.As his loved ones know, Mike did not like a fuss being made about him. There will be no memorial service. A celebration of life will be held at a later time. Please think fondly of him as you take a long, winding drive or find a quiet moment of solace in nature.