Obituary of Michael R. Sanders

Michael Robert Sanders, 69, of South Glastonbury, CT passed away peacefully at The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain on Wednesday February 7, 2024 after a two year battle with cancer. His wife Sue and his daughter Molly were right by his side.

Mike was born on December 8, 1954 in Hartford, CT to the late Robert Sanders and Dorothy (Morrison) Sanders and lived in Glastonbury his entire life. He attended Glastonbury Public Schools, graduating from Glastonbury High School in 1972. After high school Mike had a great time attending Manchester Community College and University of Hartford. He was hired as a package handler with United Parcel Service in Hartford in 1974 where he worked while attending school. He quickly became a full time courier with UPS and was a proud member of Teamsters Local 671.

In 1987 Mike began his career with FedEx. He was “the FedEx guy” in downtown Glastonbury and downtown Hartford before retiring in 2012. He liked being a courier because he met many interesting people through the years. He spoke fondly of the customers on his delivery routes which earned him the nickname “Mr. Glastonbury” amongst his family and friends. He couldn’t go anywhere in town without running into someone he knew! Mike took a short break from the road after his retirement but missed it and became a part time Dial-A-Ride driver for the Town of Glastonbury from 2015 through 2020. He was a popular driver at the Riverfront Community Center and senior center, especially for his annual Christmas light tour through town at the holidays.

Mike was often found on weekends watching the NY Giants, the NY Yankees, or UConn basketball with great food, great beers, and his best buddies at home or a local watering hole. He was also a Hartford Whalers fan and enjoyed attending their games at the Hartford Civic Center when they still existed. Mike was well known for his incredible passion for music of any kind in any form, especially jazz, blues, and classic rock. He could beat anyone in music trivia or “name that tune”. Mike loved to shop almost as much as he loved music and was frequently found browsing the crates at record stores, shopping for rock and roll concert posters at flea markets (especially Brimfield or Mansfield), or telling stories of all the “good bands” and “cool shows” he had the privilege of seeing. A doting dad to his only child, Molly, he made sure to pass his excellent taste in art and music on to her, ensuring she got to see those “rock legends” with him from the time she was a small child. The two of them had a special bond over all things music and the best memories of many concerts together, especially the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers.

Mike had a zest for life and was happiest traveling with Sue and his family. He and Sue shared many unforgettable adventures throughout the years to places like Aruba, Bermuda, Hawaii, and Martha’s Vineyard. He also regularly traveled to Castleton VT, Ogunquit and Wells Beach ME, Portsmouth NH, and New York City with his family and friends. They were his favorite spots to visit with his favorite people. When it came to vacations his enthusiasm was contagious. Everyone looked forward to a trip with him because of it. Mike did enjoy his travels but his favorite place in the world was his little house on the hill in South Glastonbury where he lived for almost fifty years. He was truly in his element when he and Sue were hosting parties on their deck in the summertime or celebrating with the family at the holidays. He was proud to have a home where everyone who entered felt comfortable, relaxed, and welcomed.

Mike is survived by the love of his life of 45 years, Susan (Mullen) Sanders of South Glastonbury; his beloved daughter, Molly Brooks Sanders of South Glastonbury; his youngest sister, Sharon (Sanders) Poulin of Glastonbury; his aunt, Mary Lou Morrison of Manchester; his brothers-in-law, Bill Mullen of New Hartford and Jim Mullen of Manchester; his nieces, Tori Poulin, Giselle Pruneau, Emily Redmond, Leah Redmond Botti, and Brianna Trainor; his nephews, Justin Mullen, Spencer Mullen, Kyle Poulin, and Jared Redmond; and several cousins. He is also survived by Tennessee Jed, his sweet hound dog who misses him terribly, and his grandcats, Buddy and Merlot. Mike had an unbelievable amount of amazing friends near and far, old and new who he sadly leaves behind as well. He was grateful for the strength they gave him and love they showed him throughout his life and his recent cancer journey.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger sister, Kathleen Sanders and his best friends, Mike Dwonszyk and Jeff Redmond.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. James Episcopal Church, 2584 Main Street, Glastonbury. Mike will be laid to rest at the Green Cemetery, 99 Hubbard Street, Glastonbury. Friends and family are invited to call on Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Pack Leaders Rescue of Connecticut,1026 Tolland St, East Hartford, CT 06108, https://packleadersrescue.com/donate/ or to Connecticut Cat Connection, 40 Stevens Mill Rd Windsor, CT 06095, https://www.ctcatconnection.org/donations

Sue, Molly, and Sharon would like to thank Dr. Brian Byrne (Mike’s oncologist), Dr. Byrne’s associates, and the staff of Floor 5C at The Hospital of Central Connecticut for the kindness, support, and excellent care they all showed Mike and the Sanders family for the past two years. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.