Michael “Mikey” Rodman Sestrich, 27, died on July 29, 2016, at his home in Arlington, VA surrounded by those closest to him. His death concludes a four-month battle with diffuse stomach cancer, an insidious disease for which there is no cure.The second son of Joseph and Margaret Peg Sestrich, Michael was born June 23, 1989 in Concord, MA and raised in Acton, Massachusetts with brothers J.J., 29, and David, 24. A 2007 graduate of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. Michael married his high school sweetheart, Clara Kollm, 27, on December 13, 2014 after nine years together in a celebration at Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA. Michael and Clara graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2011, where he earned dual bachelor of science degrees in Accounting and Finance as well as business honors. Following their graduation, the couple resided in Washington, DC with their cockapoo, Billie, where Michael worked as a corporate tax accountant for PWC and local start-up & Pizza. A strong athlete, Michael played squash, soccer, and 3×3 basketball and, though often handling the competition with ease, he was described by teammates as the kind of player who made them better both on and off the court. Above all, Michael was a beloved husband, son, brother and friend. Quick with a joke, a slice of pizza, and always first on the dance floor, he was considered among the most selfless of men by all who knew him. His outlook on life and unwavering dedication embodied so many qualities for which we all ought to strive. Even during the most challenging months of his illness, his spirit and smile never waivered. Michael is survived by his wife Clara Kollm; his parents Joe Sestrich and Peg Burr Sestrich, brothers Joseph “JJ” Sestrich Gina Osterholt, and David Sestrich, as well as his grandmother Joan Robitaille Burr; uncles and aunts Mark Burr Marek Masar, Jeffery Burr, Christine Burr, Marguerite Sestrich Beatty, Fran Sestrich Lowman Samuel Lowman; cousins Keith Lowman Cindy Kennedy Lowman, Jim Lowman Carole Bernhard Lowman, Ken Lowman, Aliza Burr, Andreas Burr, and Thomas Burr; and in-laws David Kollm, Carol Heben Kollm, and Peter Kollm. A public viewing will be held at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2016. An informal ceremony open to all will be held outdoors on Sunday, August 7 at 1:30 pm at the P Street Beach, at 23rd and O Streets NW, Washington, DC, 20036. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood, as transfusions were an integral part of his care, or to the following organizations close to his heart: Squashbusters, 795 Columbus Ave, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120 or Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.
Offer Condolence for the family of Michael “Mikey” Rodman Sestrich
811 Cameron St, Alexandria VA 22314
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Dear Peg, Joe, JJ, David, and Clara: We were so sorry to hear about Mikey. Our hearts go out to all of you and to all of the many people that he touched in his life. Eric and Gay Prosnitz
Peg and family, I’m so terribly sorry for this loss. My twin daughters have nothing but wonderful memories of Mikey from when he helped coach their one week squash camp, now 4-5 years ago.
Peg and family I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Mikey was a truly good and nice person and I am honored to have known him. May he rest in peace and joy.
Joe , Peg and Family, Sorry for the loss of your son Mickey. I pray you find strength from the LORD. May your memories of him always bring joy over sadness.
Wes Hall! I have been looking for you for years….
Shoot me an email to: myfirstname@mylastname.com antispam
Clara and family, Mike and I would like to truly express our deepest sympathy for your loss. May God bless you and yours, and may God rest Mikey’s soul.
Mike and Wendy Johnson
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in friends and family and enduring memories.
My deepest sympathy
Michael Santoro
Dear Clara and family, I’m heartbroken to hear of Mikey’s passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Ashley Jodka
I wish I had sufficient enough words to adequately express my condolences to Mike’s family and friends, but I am coming up short. As Mike’s co-worker, I had the pleasure of knowing him for the past few years. He was sweet, caring, intelligent, funny and full of life – exactly how I would want my young boys to be. While devastated over his loss, memories of him and his ways will always bring a smile to my face. He will remain in my heart and loved forever. May God also continue to pour strength on everyone who loved Mike.
Samrawit Araya
My sincere condolences to the family. How hard it is to lose a loved one, especially one so young and well thought of. While on earth, Jesus resurrected Lazarus and others. He thus demonstrated what he will do on a grander scale. John 5:28. Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what you are feeling . He assures us that he is “close to those who are broken hearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.”
Psalms 34:18 NWT. May your cherished memories, support of family and friends, and most of all, reliance on God, sustain you during this difficult time.
Dear Sestrich family, I am so sorry to have read of the recent death of Michael. Please accept my most sincere condolences. I would like to share something that I have personally found to be very comforting. It is found in the Bible at John 5:28,29 and Revelation 21:3-5. These verses tell us that soon Jehovah God is going to bring about a resurrection of our dear loved ones, as well as do away with all the causes we have for suffering, including sickness and death. Knowing this has always comforted me and it is my hope that these thoughts will likewise comfort your family also during this most difficult time in your lives. If you would like to read these Scriptures online for free or find more comforting thoughts, please visit jw.org Sincerely, Trudy Nowell – Panama City Beach, FL
Condolences to your family. May you receive comfort from the word of God during this time of loss. Acts 24:15 says there will be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. Can you imagine the joy of Martha and Mary when Jesus raised Lazarus back to life?—Read John 11:21-24, 38-44. Revelation 21:3,4 promises that one day death, mourning, and outcry will be no more. To find out more regarding the hope for the dead visit JW.org and search “death”.
Dear Sestrich family, my wife, Lynn, and I were so saddened to hear the news of Mikey\’s passing away. What a tragedy. Peg, we are so sorry! Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you all as you cope with this terrible loss. Mikey was very well liked and admired. I have shared this difficult news with mutual friends, who all send their sincerest condolences. Please hold on tight to each other and know that you are hugged all about by friends.
Paul and Lynn Davis ABRHS-World Language dept.- retired
Dear Peggy,Joe,JJ,David and Clara,
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Mikey’s passing. There are no words to express how much our hearts ache for you all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and we hope that you are feeling an outpouring of love from everyone that loved Mikey. We send a warm embrace from our family to yours.
With much love,
Janet,Paul,Kevin and Eric
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. It is comforting to know that one day God says at Revelation 21:verses 3 to 5 that funerals, sorrow, and mourning, will be things of the past because death and pain will be no more. God promises to make all things new. Until you see your beloved, Micheal again keep this promise close to your heart.
Sincerely,
Virginia
My sincere condolences to the family of Michael. Death of a dear loved one is one of the greatest pain we will ever experience. How wonderful to learn from Isaiah 25:8 that God will swallow up death forever and wipe tear from all faces. That is indeed a great time for us all to look forward.