Michael John Nussear

Michael John Nussear, 72, of Satellite Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025 after a 4-year journey with cancer. He fought valiantly with great faith and trust in God up until his last breath. We want to thank the wonderful caregivers at Vitas Hospice in Rockledge for extending much care and compassion to Mike in his final days. We are eternally grateful.

Mike was born on November 16, 1952, in Baltimore MD, the son of Gilbert W.  and Gloria Anna (Utz) Nussear. He was the second oldest of five children, growing up in a happy childhood home in Hanover MD, where his faith grew and was nurtured by his loving parents. He went to church at St Augustine’s parish in Elkridge, MD and attended St Augustine’s Catholic school graduating there from the 8th grade.

He attended Arundel Senior High School in Gambrills, MD and graduated in 1970. Mike went on to join the Air Force shortly after graduation during the Viet Nam war. He went in as a shy young man, and came out a confident person who could talk to anyone. He served his country for 21.5 years and retired in January of 1993 at the rank of Major. He traveled to Taiwan and the Philippines early in his career, going on to Hawaii where he met his bride, Janice. Together they were stationed at various bases throughout the country, including Abilene TX, Ft Walton Beach, FL, San Jose CA where Mike served as the ROTC Commandant of Cadets (his favorite assignment), Alexandria LA, and Hampton VA where he retired at Langley AFB. They looked at their Air Force career as one adventure after the other, making many lifetime friends along the way.

Mike and Janice (LaFrance) were married on Dec 14, 1974 at St Anne’s Catholic Church in Chicopee, Mass. Their love story began in Hawaii where they met at the Hickam AFB Chapel. Mike played the guitar at the Folk mass and Janice admired him from the pew. Eventually they were introduced and the rest is history. God was truly a part of their journey, bringing a boy born in Baltimore, and a girl born in Alaska together, in Hawaii, finally getting married in Massachusetts. Together they had 3 children who were the loves of his life, Nicole, Kristen, and Andrew. He celebrated each of their births with great joy and was a devoted and loving Dad, taking care of feedings in the middle of the night to staying up nights waiting for them to get home. He never missed a game or a performance. He was always present in various ways, praying over them and for them as the years went by.  Janice and Mike celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2024 with a bucket list trip to the Biltmore at Christmas in Asheville, NC. It was one of their favorite trips together.

After Mike’s retirement from the Air Force, he and the family moved to Satellite Beach where they had visited Janice’s parents for many years and fell in love with the area. He began teaching Speech and Communications at Brevard Community College, then went on to work for Lockheed Martin at the Cape and finally, was employed with Northrop Grumman where he retired in 2017.  Mike was a hard worker, devoting his life to providing for his family.

Mike was a very talented, self-taught, musician. He played guitar and keyboard, entertaining others with his talents over the past 50 plus years. One of his favorite memories was performing at the local level for Tops in Blue, an Air Force talent show, with his friend, Roy, singing “Mr Bojangles”. Over the years, Mike performed as Elvis at the Holy Name of Jesus fall festivals. He also started a group that he dubbed “The Soul Brothers”, which included a few talented close friends who completed the group.  They performed at the opening day of Religious Ed as well as at the Fall Festival at Holy Name for several years. About 25 years ago he began playing Christmas music on Christmas Eve, at his in-law’s driveway. Their street was known as “Candy Cane Lane”, attracting people from all over the county. He loved seeing the joy in people’s faces when they would hear him. All of these performances were some of the highlights of Mike’s entire life.

Mike served as a Deacon at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic, FL, being ordained in 2017. It was a true calling from the Lord. While formation was challenging, Mike knew that God would use him to bring people closer to Him. Mike turned out to be a wonderful homilist, touching so many people with his words and his often-used props. Whenever someone would praise him for his homily, he would thank them and say “To God be the Glory!”. His service to the Church began in lay ministry as an Altar boy. He went on to play guitar and sing as a teen and all throughout his adult years in various Church choirs, sharing his musical talents, touching people’s lives. He was also involved in the Cursillo movement, Marriage Encounter, Daily Bread, Christ Renews His Parish retreat, Marriage Prep for engaged couples, ministry of Lector, and Pro-Life ministry. Mike had a servant’s heart and his love for the Church and God’s people were evident in all that he did. It was never about him.

Mike had a heart for the poor and down-trodden, especially the homeless whom he encountered frequently. He would stop and ask their name and treat them as a child of God. He was also very pro-life, advocating for the unborn with his time and resources. He participated in the Life Chain every October for years, and went to Washington DC to attend the March for Life. He also loved feeding peanuts to the squirrels and birds in his yard. He delighted in their company and he loved their antics as they swooped in for the nuts. He reminded us of St Francis taking care of all God’s creatures.

Mike leaves behind his loving wife Janice, and his three children, Nicole Ryan (Sean), Kristen Swisher (Keegan), and Andrew Nussear. Also, his brother Patrick Nussear (Rosemary), and sisters Rosemary Taylor (Ken) and Suzanne Nussear (Steve), and sister-in-law Betsy Nussear. Also his mother-in-law, Del LaFrance, as well as his brothers-in-law, Kurt LaFrance (Sandy), Kevin LaFrance (Kim), Keith LaFrance (Alice), and sister-in-law, Melissa Gembarowski (Chuck). He was also a loving uncle to 25 nieces and nephews, and 22 great-nieces and nephews.

Preceeding him in death are his parents, Gilbert W. Nussear, Sr and Gloria Anna (Utz) Nussear, along with his older brother, Gilbert W. Nussear, Jr., both sets of Grandparents, and his Father-in-law, Joe LaFrance. We are comforted knowing that he has been reunited with his loved ones in Heaven, and what a glorious reunion that must have been!

All Arrangements for Mike will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic FL. Visitation, 9/15 at 5pm, Vigil following at 6pm. Tuesday, 9/16 Visitation 9:30am, Funeral mass 10:00 am. Burial 9/17 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 11:00 am.

Donations made be made in his memory to:

Genesis House, PO Box 2044, Melbourne FL 32902 or www.genesishousefl.org or

Saint Stephen’s Way at www.ssway.org

This first link here is the PRIMARY link. This is most likely the link that will be streaming.   https://youtube.com/live/0Tswd-niKTk - 🔴 Livestream Funeral - Michael Nussear 9/16/25 (PRIMARY)     This SECONDARY link is only for if there are any technical issues with the PRIMARY livestream link.     https://youtube.com/live/SDgDqqaABkw - Michael Nussear Funeral Livestream - 9/16/25 (SECONDARY)