Navy Petty Officer Michael Vecchio, 19, Of Brick Remembered As 'A Shooting Star'

BRICK, NJ — Family and friends are mourning a 19-year-old Navy petty officer from Brick who was killed last week in a motorcycle accident in Jacksonville, Florida, according to reports.

Michael J. Vecchio was on active duty as an aircrewman operator in the U.S. Navy at the time of the accident, according to his obituary on the Carmona-Bolen Home For Funerals website. Due to his exemplary accomplishments and achievements, the Navy posthumously advanced him to the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class, the obituary said. According to Action News Jacksonville, Vecchio was killed after his motorcycle hit a concrete median and a utility pole.

In Michael's obituary, his family celebrated his joy-filled, adventurous approach to life:

"Nineteen years is a very short time to live. Michael experienced more adventures than most people do in their lifetime. Pushing his fears aside he tackled all his goals with vigor and zest. He was a shooting star…. burning bright and running fast! Please learn from Michael. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, DON’T SECOND-GUESS YOUR INSTINCTS AND PURSUE ALL YOUR DREAMS TO MAKE THEM REALITY! You will not regret it!" his family wrote.

Michael grew up in Brick and he participated in nearly every extracurricular activity available for a kid growing up, his family said. "He was well known and had a lot of friends to share the joys of childhood. He always wanted to try EVERYTHING and had a great love of life with all it had to offer. His talents went much further than team sports, and he was an avid show-off who pushed the envelope many times to prove it," his family wrote.

Michael loved snowboarding, surfing, golf, mountain biking, skating, and spear fishing, "just to name a few! His abilities were diverse and he was talented enough to pull it all off," his family wrote. "Michael always pushed himself to be the best that he could be due to his competitive spirit. He was strong-willed and a force to be reckoned with if you challenged him. His aptitude was high, and his cunning character kept opponents on edge. If you had to go toe-to-toe with him for a battle of the wits, then you were in for a ride, and you were going to lose whether you knew it or not."

"Many family and friends will remember his enormous personality, as he often somehow was able to get ALL the attention! Whether wearing different colored socks or just some outlandish trick to get your attention, he always stood out of a crowd. Maybe you were with him to hear one of his wisecracks, with great timing and wit to make his point. Anyway you put it, he could always amuse the masses with his special form of entertainment," his family wrote.

"His softer side was precious. If you were fortunate enough to hear the harmonic sounds of his ukulele it could transform you to a beautiful place. He had a caring, laid-back character. You could catch him shoveling the snow of an elderly person's driveway for no gratuity or lending his soothing, charismatic words to help a friend in need. He always had a true heart and did the right thing where many others would have taken the easier path. You could always count on him for being by your side," his family wrote.

"Michael was a well-rounded person. Loyalty could be seen as he had come to the rescue of others in need without hesitation. (Whether it was) defending the honor of a girl or jumping into a fight to help his comrades, you always knew that he had your back," they wrote. "Honor played a role in who he was. Following the footsteps of his traditional Navy family, he included himself in the ranks that only the few and proud could call themselves. The rest of us were considered 'civs.' He was proud to be “an Aircrewman” and was at the top of his rate, headed for greatness. He did it with the most honorable fashion to represent what we all love about this country."

"His most exclusive talent was his smoothness. He could say anything with the fluidness of the gentlest stream. We all felt comforted enough when he would convince you, 'It’s ok.' ”

Michael is survived by his parents, Michael and Carol, and his brother, Vincent; his maternal grandmother, Nancy Severs, and many aunts and uncles: Jim and Diane Vecchio, Donna and Michael Sever, Kevin and Lori Browne, Cheryl and Joseph Messina, Sharon and Darrel Gedde, Rick and Michele Vecchio, and John and Jackie Vecchio. He is also survived by many cousins: Andrew, Jake, David, Lisa, Laurie, Rene, Ryan, Eric, Heather, Kimberly, Jennifer, Kevin Jr., Patrick, Kellina, Charlie, Gabrielle, and Joseph.

He will be dearly missed by his best friend and love, Jess Solan. Michael was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Ana Marie and Vincent Vecchio, and maternal grandfather Frederick Severs.

The viewing will be held Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals, 412 Main Street, Toms River. A funeral Mass will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Monday at St. Luke’s Church in Toms River. Burial will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, where he will rest in peace with his beloved grandfather, who inspired him to serve our country.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to consider a donation in Michael’s name to NJ Sharing network, Attn: Foundation 691 Central Ave New Providence, NJ 07974 or The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development 875 N. Randolph St. Ste 225 Arlington, VA 22203.

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