FORT MILL, SC – Michael J. Bahnatka, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Atrium Health Center in Pineville, North Carolina after a brief illness.

Born in Rockaway, New Jersey on September 6, 1930, to the late John and Christina Bahnatka, he lived in Rockaway for 79 years before relocating to Fort Mill, South Carolina in 2009, where he was a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Lancaster, SC.

He was a graduate of Rockaway High School and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves before becoming a police officer in his hometown in 1955.  He proudly served the community of Rockaway Borough for 42 years, retiring in 1997 after serving the last 24 of those years as Police Chief.

He was affectionally known as Mickey to all those who knew him.  Mickey enjoyed golfing, skiing, ice skating and all forms of indoor and outdoor exercise.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. He was a quiet and reserved man but made a huge impact on everyone he met.

He was predeceased in death by his brothers Edward and George, his son Michael in 1985 and wife Eleanor in 2004.

He is survived by his wife Elaine ("Shirley"), daughters Linda Silvestri (Charles) and Maryann Davit (Anthony), and granddaughters Kathryn Love (Hunter) and Emily Davit.  He is also survived by his stepchildren, Mark Whitecavage (Zeynep), Andrea Costanzo (Fred) and Leslie McKenzie and step-grandchildren, Eric and Alex Whitecavage and Lauren and Quinn McKenzie.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at the Whitham-Kanapaux Funeral Home, 20 Keller Ave, Rockaway NJ 07866.  Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 63 E. Main Street, Rockaway, NJ  07866.  Interment will follow at St. Cecilia's Cemetery in Rockaway.

Condolences may be sent to:  RockawayFuneral.com

Memorial contributions may be directed to:  Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org).