Michael Stewart Vann

(1959 - 2021)

Michael Stewart Vann 62, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning after a courageous fight with cancer. Michael was a lifelong resident of Pensacola, a graduate of Pensacola Catholic High School ('77) and the University of West Florida, and retired recently as a dean and teacher with the Exceptional Student Education Department at Escambia High School. He was a lover of fishing and enjoyed nothing better than taking his boat into Perdido Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, often with his children and dogs in tow. He was a captain of the offshore oil tender Guiding Star and worked with the Universal Studios on the filming of Jaws2 and at the famed FloraBama. He cherished helping his uncle Frank Patti with the Hurricane Sally cleanup operations at Joe Patti Seafood. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Michael is survived by his beloved children, Michael Robert Vann and Kaitlin Vann Purvis, and granddaughter Rosalie Cynthia Purvis. He is preceded in death by his mother Maria Patti and father James L. Vann Sr. He leaves behind his beloved sister Tricia Vann Imel, brothers Joseph W. Vann, and James L. Vann, Jr. and his many cousins and relatives. He was especially close to his cousins Frank Patti Jr., Mary Ann Patti, Linda Patti, and his uncle Gerard Patti.

The family would like to extend its special gratitude to Michael's friends who helped him make the best of his last and difficult days, especially Cindy Legidakes, Fr. John Licari, Lokken Liane, and circle of mentors including Demetrius Snider.

A memorial service is planned for 1:00 PM Saturday, August 21, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Warrington. The family is respecting the safety concerns of all who might wish to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Pensacola.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Vann family.