Obituary of Michael Joseph Nemitz

Michael J. Nemitz of Durham, North Carolina died peacefully on October 4, 2024.  Formerly of Winchester, Virginia and Burlington, Vermont, he grew up in Needham, Massachusetts, attending Saint Joseph’s Elementary School, Xaverian Brothers High School, Babson College, and Suffolk University Law School.  He met and married Mary (Barry) Nemitz on June 21, 1975 at the University of Vermont Catholic Newman Center.  They spent three years in Boston after getting married, then moved back to Mary’s hometown of Burlington, Vermont.  Michael worked for the Howard Bank and Saxer, Anderson & Wolinsky Law Firm before being appointed Deputy Commissioner of Banking and Insurance by Governor Madeleine Kunin.  He later returned to banking with one of the local credit unions before moving south to Winchester, Virgnia, where he worked at Navy Federal Credit Union until his retirement in 2018.  While in Winchester, Michael was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, volunteering his time to serve his community.  Following retirement, he and Mary then moved to Durham, North Carolina to be closer to their daughter and her family.

Michael is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Elizabeth (Nemitz) Stevens of Durham, North Carolina and her wife Ellen Stevens, son Sean Nemitz of Charleston, South Carolina and his wife Bethany (Pope) Nemitz, and six grandchildren: Dakota Nemitz, Cy Nemitz, Leo Stevens, Sally Nemitz, Ember Stevens, and Jules Nemitz.  Michael’s grandchildren were his pride and joy – he enjoyed playing cards and chess with them, spending time outside fishing, and building in his workshop.  He is also survived by five siblings and their families: Maripeg Combs of Winchester, Virginia; Bill Nemitz of Buxton, Maine; Chuck Nemitz of Natick, Massachusetts; Meg Nemitz of Eastham, Massachusetts; and Christopher Nemitz of Waltham, Massachusetts.  He is predeceased by his parents, William Nemitz and Dorothy (O’Brien) Nemitz, and his sisters Dr. Ann Nemitz and Beth Nemitz.

A Celebration of Life will be held in summer 2025 in Burlington, Vermont.  Donations in his honor can be made to the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity or the Kiwanis Club of Winchester Foundation, Inc.  Michael lived a life full of love and laughter, and he will be missed.