We Honor and Remember:

SrA Michael Patrick Traficante
Hometown: Gloucester City, New Jersey, U.S.
Age: 31 years old
Died: May 29, 2023.
Unit: Air Force - 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (The Scorpions), Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX.

Michael was born an identical twin on December 20, 1991, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Those close to him, often heard him referred to as Miguel. He also gained the nickname “Powder”. His twin brother Chris was known as “Garlic”. Together, they were the Italian twins, “Garlic and Powder,” which are staples in Italian cooking; proud of their Italian cultural heritage. Michael graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City, NJ in 2010. During his school years, he participated in a wide variety of clubs, activities, and events, including Cub Scouts, Rocket Club, Chess Club, Drama Club in plays and musicals, Chorus with Honors, Civil Air Patrol, Track & Field with distance medals, football, and Christian Club. After high school, Michael attended Camden County College and received his Associates Degree in Communications on May 18, 2013. He was a hard worker and he balanced various jobs through his High School and College years. Michael then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on October 1, 2014. He began basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. Upon graduation he served at Aviano Air Base, Italy; Moody Air force Base, Georgia; and most recently, Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX arriving August 18, 2021. At Dyess Air Force Base, he was a member of the Air Force 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron known as the Scorpions. He married his wife Melaney on July 18, 2022.

Michael was a joy to his family and friends, always wanting to help and serve. He was dependable in his job, was strong in his Christian faith, and loved being around people. He was active in whatever he chose to do, whether it was spending lots of time with his twin brother Christopher, playing football with cousins, volunteering his time in the Soup Kitchen in high school, inviting people to Christian Club in college, or playing video games. His favorite game was Halo. He also had a great sense of humor. He loved dancing, biking, singing karaoke, traveling, hanging by the campfire, playing with his stepchildren, loving his cats, and much more. Michael provided the gift of life as an organ donor to 5 individuals, one being a Veteran.

Michael is survived by his spouse, Melaney A. (Consentino) Traficante and his 3 step-children, Melania, Anthony, and Vicenti (New Jersey); his parents, Gene Anthony and Janice Darlene Traficante (West Virginia); his brothers, spouses and their children: Christopher (Ana) Traficante, Steven Hidalgo, Leyla and Madelyn; Joseph (Sherri) Hidalgo, Audrey and Miranda, Gene (Lily) Traficante, Gene; his Grandfather, Gene A. Traficante (Pop); as well as a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his Grandparents, Robert G. Perry, Phyllis M. Perry, Dolores J. Traficante (Omi).

A viewing and sharing of Michael’s life is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 4pm to 9pm at Tilghman Funeral Home located at 52 Main St, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Let us remember the great memories we share with Michael and celebrate his life always.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 15 at 12:30pm with the burial following at 2pm. Location is the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located at 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.

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New Jersey Run for the Fallen ~ 2023
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