Michael Makdad

Michael (Mike) Makdad, Harrington, DE.

It is with deep sadness and heartache that we must say good bye to our beloved friend, father, grandfather, husband and mentor for many, Michael Makdad, aka metropolitan Mike Makdad, aka Gussie.  Michael passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday December 13, 2020.

Mike had charisma, he knew no stranger, and was quite the jokester.  If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Michael, even briefly, you knew that he would give you the shirt off his back (not before he pulled your leg or your finger through!) He had a boundless curiosity and blade-like wit. His humor and smile could brighten up the gloomiest of days. He prided himself in trying to help those who needed a chance.  He devoted his life to building a memory for all of us who loved him so dearly.  But what defined him more than anything else was his spirit. Michael was lighthearted but driven; at the age of 24 he established Quality Exteriors, Inc. a business that will long proceed him thanks to his 38 years of commitment to the business and his community. 

Michael will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his orneriness, his prank calls, and his generosity. He loved spending time with his family, hosting pool parties, enjoying crabs and beer, hunting, vacationing, giggling with his six grandchildren, and plotting his next move.  If you took him out in public expect for him to draw all of the attention: “HEY! You dropped your pocket”, if you’re going to dinner, he will tell the wait staff all about how he “just got out of prison”, not to mention he knows just about everyone in the Tri-State area.

Michael is survived by his wife, JoAnn, his companion and occasional partner in crime for 47 years, his three daughters and their families: Michelle her husband, Ian, and their two daughters Kennedy and Everly; Megan her husband and Michael’s business partner, Jason, their two sons Colton and Chase; and Jessica her husband, Brent, and their two daughters Reagan and Bristol. He will be deeply missed by his brothers and sisters: Richard Makdad, Mary Voshell (George), Sharon Tazelaar (John), and George Makdad. He is preceded in heaven by his parents, John R. Makdad and Deloris (Delozier) Makdad, and brother, Victor Makdad.

We are lost without him, but we are forever richer for having known and loved him and being loved by him in return.  A walkthrough visitation will be held on Saturday, December 19th from 1pm-3pm at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy, Harrington, DE.  We are adhering to the CDC and Delaware guidelines of occupancy limits, social distancing, and masks.    In lieu of sending flowers, we would like you to consider contributing to Interstitial Lung Disease Research at Penn Medicine

A celebration of life will be organized for summer 2021.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Makdad, please visit our floral store.