Michael David Epstein
Mike Epstein, 70, of St. James City, passed away at his home on Feb. 28, 2009, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born July 24, 1938, in Memphis, Tenn. He was raised in Chicago.
He enlisted in the Army in 1957 where he served for three years as a helicopter mechanic and earned his parachute badge. He returned to Chicago, where he began a successful career in construction and real estate development. During the 1970s, he earned his commercial pilot wings as well as establishing and serving as executive director of the International Association of Airborne Veteran’s. This association was a tight group of individuals who had a common background as former and active duty military paratroopers. Their primary activities consisted of parachute tours and training in various nations of the world. These tours were often associated with commemorative events and promoted fellowship and an international understanding of fellow jumpers loving the parachuting experience. Tours, which he organized, took him to Israel, Russia, Canada, China, Vietnam, the North Pole, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Jordan, Germany, Spain, France, Cuba, England and Holland.
In 1982, Mr. Epstein formed the Frontiersmen Parachute Battalion of which he was the honorary colonel. Because of his dedication and professionalism, within the ranks of both the International Association of Airborne Veterans and the Frontiersmen Parachute Battalion, he was knighted into the Order of the Commonwealth in the rank of Knight Commander on Feb. 15, 2002, conducted at Toronto’s Royal Canadian Military Institute.
He moved to Pine Island in 1988, where he was active with the Pine Island American Legion and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary as both a possessor of a 50-ton captain’s license as well as an air observer.
He is survived by his wife, Elva of St. James City; daughter, Rachael Berger; and granddaughters, Miriah and Lia of Van Nuys, Calif.
A memorial service was held at the American Legion on Saturday, March 7.
Michael David Epstein
Mike Epstein of St. James City, passed away at his home on Feb. 28, 2009 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born July 24, 1938 in Memphis, TN. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois.
Mike enlisted in the Army in 1957 where he served for three years as a helicopter mechanic and earned his parachute badge. Mike returned to Chicago, where he began a successful career in construction and real estate development. During the 1970s, Mike earned his commercial pilot wings as well as establishing and serving as Executive Director of the International Association of Airborne Veteran’s. This association was a tight group of individuals who had a common background as former and active duty military paratroopers. their primary activities consisted of parachute tours and training in various nations of the world. These tours were often associated with commemorative events and promoted fellowship and an international understanding of fellow jumpers loving the parachuting experience. Tours, which Mike organized, took him to Israel, Russia, Canada, China, Viet Nam, the North Pole, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Jordan, Germany, Spain, France, Cuba, England and Holland.
In 1982, Mike formed the Frontiersmen Parachute Battalion of which he was the Honorary Colonel. Because of his dedication and professionalism, within the ranks of both the International Association of Airborne Veterans and the Frontiersmen Parachute Battalion, Mike was knighted into the Order of the Commonwealth in the rank of Knight Commander on Feb. 15, 2002 conducted at Toronto’s Royal Canadian Military Institute.
Mike moved to Pine Island in 1988, where he was active with the Pine Island American Legion and the United States coast Guard Auxiliary as both a possessor of a 50 ton Captain’s license as well as an air observer.
He is survived by his wife, Elva of St. James City, daughter Rachael Berger and granddaughters Miriah and Lia of Van Nuys, CA. A memorial service was held at the American Legion on Saturday, March 7, 2009.