Michael was born in Richmond, VA, and raised in the small rural town of Kinsale, VA. He eventually settled in Philadelphia, PA, where he started a long career with SEPTA as a bus driver and then as a subway train operator.
One rainy evening in April 2012, Michael picked up a lone female subway passenger at Lombard and South and asked for her name. They were married only six months later. Three months ago, Michael and Kristine moved to her hometown of Lebanon, PA, anticipating a happy and peaceful retirement together. His sudden loss is an unimaginable tragedy.
Michael was — to put it mildly — a unique individual. He was intelligent, introspective, funny, and kind. He was deeply thoughtful — not in the “may I help you with that?” way, but in the “why is the world like this?” kind of way.
Michael only had a high school GED, but he had a love of learning and never shied away from any subject matter. He read extensively in contemporary and Eastern philosophy, mindfulness, and other subjects to broaden his understanding of himself and the world. He was not religious, but was a man of deep faith and spirituality. Michael had the kind of physical and spiritual presence that drew people to him everywhere he went. He was the glue that held his extensive family together.
In his daily life, Michael was a notable fitness enthusiast. He was obsessive about his workout routine and nutritional regimen. He was 61 but looked 20 years younger. He was Big Mike. He loved big trucks, fast cars, motorcycles, fishing, the outdoors, and music — all kinds of music (except country, thank goodness).
Interestingly, he also had a sincere conviction that he was not “of this world” and that he was only here on a temporary basis. I truly hope he is back with his real people now. Here on Earth, Michael will be sorely missed by me; sons, Michael Jr. and Marcquise; grandchildren, Hunter and Malachi; and an extensive network of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to name.
The service for Mr. Michael Washington Sr. will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Christman’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. The procession to graveside services at Paxtang Cemetery, 490 N. Paxtang Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17111, will immediately follow.
