ichael “Mike” Broesler, age 71, of Gulfport, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 2, 2018 leaving behind a mound of baseball caps he collected over the years to cover his “baseball head”. He was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in June of 2017 and lost his battle when his heart could not take anymore.

Mike is survived by his nurturing and understanding wife Susan, who was the love of his life and stood by his side and supported him for 46 years. He is also survived by daughters Crista Broesler, his biological daughter and Tina Herliska, his daughter by choice; sister, Patricia Monahan; sister, Liz Broesler; and his nephew, Christian “Carey” Monahan.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Evelyn Broesler, a 1967 Mustang, several loyal dogs and a few good friends who also lost their battle to cancer.

Mike was born in Woodhaven, NY and graduated from Walt Whitman High School, Huntington, NY. He attended college in Citrus County where he studied Art; the University of South Florida, Tampa, where he majored in psychology; and graduated from PVTI in Clearwater, FL, where he learned the AC trade accompanied by the years of service with his father, which provided well for his family.

Susan and Mike wed in the spring of 1972. They moved to Gulfport, FL in 1976 because he wanted his daughter to make friends for life. He also wanted to enjoy the companionship of the local community and friends. He enjoyed many things, among those were football, baseball, NASCAR, camping, boating, sports fishing, four wheeling, cold beer and above all, his family and friends.

Mike served in the United States Army and was an active combat Veteran in the Vietnam War where he was given the nickname “Bosco”. He never spoke of the war up until recently when he started to confide in his daughter. He received awards during his service and was recently given the Welcome Home from Nam he deserved by the Honor Guard at the VA Hospice at bedside where he was decorated. At the time of his honorable discharge, Sergeant Broesler was eligible to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, his Combat Infantry Badge, two overseas service bars and his designation as a marksman with the M-14 and sharpshooter with the M-16. His last duty assignment was with Company E 1st Battalion 502 Infantry.

He continued to work up until the very end in the Heating & Air Conditioning business. He spent several years of service on a hot roof and withstanding insane heat of a warehouse or attic. He accumulated gazillion rolls of duct tape during the course of his career (which he used for everything from open wounds to holding his truck together).

Mike was a supportive brother to both his sisters. Liz turned to him for advice on everything from home repairs to relationships. Although thought to be sarcastic with his remarks, he was sensitive and kind. He was constantly on the phone with work yet always found time for family and friends. His nickname of “Gabby” fit him perfectly. We all have our stories of Mike and the joy he brought to our lives. He will be greatly missed.

Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the truly exceptional nurses at the Bay Pines VAHCS Hospice and Palliative Care Unit and Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health, who provided much more than nursing care for Mike, but also provided a peaceful and compassionate environment during his transition from this life to the next.

A Military Honors Service will be held on Monday, March 19 at 12:30 PM at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708. A Celebration of Life will commence at the Broesler house in Gulfport after the service. In lieu of flowers, you can send a memorial donation to your local hospice chapter, favorite charity or visit your favorite watering hole, where you can toast a brewski and tell some good stories about Broesler.

https://youtu.be/e-JazYtGC-U