On September 22, 1954, Michael G. Hance was born in Amityville, New York, to Dorothy and Charles Hance, the youngest of five brothers. He grew up in Bethpage, New York, attending St. Martin of Tours grammar school and graduating from Plainedge High School.

Mike’s father and three brothers were members of the Bethpage Fire Department. As a young boy, he was always around the firehouse. He joined the Bethpage Fire Department after he graduated high school in 1972. He followed his passion and was sworn into the FDNY on August 7, 1982. His first firehouse was Engine 212 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York. He stayed there for one year, then went to Engine 36 in Harlem, working there for 15 years. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and was a covering lieutenant in many firehouses before working at Engine 302 in Jamaica, Queens, for the rest of his career. He also went to Fire Safety, where he enjoyed teaching young children about the safety of fires. Mike’s love for helping people and his devotion to duty made him a great fireman.

Mike was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, Pop-Pop, and friend. He was a kind and generous man who loved the life he had. He loved spending time with his wife and children camping in his family motor home. He went golfing with his brothers and friends to Myrtle Beach every year in his motor home, too. Mike’s favorite times of the year were the Christmas season and St. Patrick’s Day. He looked forward to a laughter-filled family city day—seeing a Broadway play, the Rockefeller Christmas tree, and dinner at the infamous Tony Dinapoli’s. At the end of the night, he would say with a big smile, “This is my favorite night of the year.” He loved marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the FDNY and playing Irish music at home while enjoying corned beef and cabbage with his family. He enjoyed quiet time and loved being a stock man and reading his newspapers.

In 2019, Mike and his wife moved to Mattituck, New York, to their retirement home. He loved riding his tractor, going to family outings at the beach, taking care of his property, and finally purchasing and driving around in his Corvette.

On January 4, 2023, he passed away from a 9/11-related illness that he fought for 2½ years. He is deeply missed every day by his wife, children, grandchildren, family, close friends, and those whose lives he touched over the years. We believe that as long as you keep Mike in your heart, he will always be with us and will never be forgotten. We take great comfort knowing that he is at rest now in peace with God and the Angels in Heaven.