Michael G. Widoff

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 13, 1939 to Benjamin and Rosemarie Widoff. He moved to Fort Lauderdale and graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1957. He went to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After graduation from college, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He later started working in their family business of real estate development of Basswood, Inc., in Okeechobee, Fl. He was the President of the Chamber of Commerce there and met the love of his life, Linda Mullis. They married and moved to Miami, Florida, where he attended law school at the University of Miami. He began practicing in Ft. Lauderdale as a public defender. He then entered private practice after starting his own law firm. He was a respected trial attorney for many years.

Mike had his private pilot’s license and flew his own plane for vacations and business trips. He taught his son how to fly who’s now a career pilot for 25 years. Mike was an avid fisherman and a member of the Sport fishermen of Broward County. He loved his vacation home in Key Largo where he spent much of his time fishing with his first mate, Linda. Mike and Linda were active parents at Pine Crest School, St. Coleman’s School, and Cardinal Gibbons High School. They were Chairmen of The Lauderdale Debutante Committee. He coached his sons’ and grandsons’ baseball teams at Coral Ridge Little League. At 82, he still loved riding his bike down the beach 10 miles a day!

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle.

Mike is survived by his son, Patrick Widoff and his daughter, Mikey Widoff O’Neal, along with her husband, Patrick Kim O’Neal. He is also survived by his grandchildren Patrick Michael O’Neal, Morgan Ashley O’Neal and Brody McFarlane O’Neal.He is predeceased by his loving wife, Linda and his son, Brian Widoff; his parents, Benjamin and Rosemarie Widoff and his brother, Gerson “Duke” Widoff.

He will be lovingly remembered at a Memorial Mass and Celebration of his Life in North Carolina.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Michael, be sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com