VERO BEACH, FL. Michael Gotwalt of Vero Beach, Florida and previously of Lewisberry, PA died on March 21, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. He will be missed by his family and wide circle of friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, George and Betty Gotwalt. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy (Davis) originally from Toronto, OH now Vero Beach, his son Nicholas of Wellsville, PA, granddaughter Olivia of Astrakhan, Russia, numerous cousins in South Central Pennsylvania, and two rambunctious cats, Keeley and Dani.

Michael was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA where he graduated from John Harris High School. He went on to attend Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA where in addition to his studies he managed the Twelvetrees Movie Theater along with his college friend, Scott. Eventually, Michael transferred to Shippensburg State University where he graduated with a degree in Business.

Michael lived a full and joyful life as his passions and hobbies covered a wide range of interests. His professional career was with the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Navy at Aviation Supply Office (ASO) in Philadelphia, then transferred to the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) in Mechanicsburg. During his tenure at NAVICP, Michael was decorated with The Meritorious Civilian Service Award for exceptional service, superior performance, and significant contributions to the DoD. He retired as the Department Director of the AEGIS Program. After retirement he went on to work for various Defense Contractors, most notably SAIC and LEIDOS.

Michael and Nancy met on the Naval Base in Mechanicsburg, PA and in 1982 purchased the 1871 Maytown Church in Lewisberry (York County) PA. After four arduous months of renovations, they were married in their home on October 2, 1982. Together, they spent the next forty years making improvements to the property and their home. It was a wonderful place to raise their son.

Some of his other passions included travel by train and ocean liner/cruise ships; Formula 1 Racing “stringer” photographer for Paul Vathis of the Associated Press Harrisburg Office; reading a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and historical books; forty plus years of family genealogy, where he was able to trace and verify one line in his family lineage back to 999 AD; collecting vintage posters, postcards, cigar labels, and other paper ephemera; and finally writing novels.  His works include:
THE KOSMOS SERIES: Out of Time and Time Is – sadly the third and final book in the series, Time Was will remain unfinished; Fool’s Pleasure; 1889, Paris and the Universal Exposition; and his last book tentatively titled 1929, A Cruise into History – a travelogue novel, which may remain unpublished also. Additionally, Michael published The Bicentennial Souvenir Visitor’s Guide to Philadelphia in 1976.

Michael was an absolute sports junkie. He loved the Philadelphia Flyers and was in attendance at the Spectrum with his good friend Jon when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1975. The Philadelphia Eagles drove him crazy because he honestly thought he would never live to see them win the Super Bowl’s Vince Lombardi Trophy. He was ecstatic for weeks after their NFL Super Bowl wins in 2018 and 2025. Michael, Nancy, and Nick were also season ticket holders to the Hershey Bears Hockey Team of the American Hockey League for twenty years. In the fall, Saturday was his time to watch his favorite college football teams (Penn State and Purdue Universities). Sunday mornings were spent watching British Premier League soccer and afternoons were devoted to NFL football games. He followed all the teams in the Premier League, but his zeal was for Swansea City A.F.C. of the EFL Championship League. Finally, Monday mornings he would begin with the back-and-forth emails with Jan as they discussed and analyzed, all the wins, losses, and player performances over the weekend.

No services will be held in Vero Beach. Instead, Nancy and Nick have elected to have a Celebration of Life with family and friends in Pennsylvania sometime in late spring/early summer. The date and location are TBD, but everyone will be notified in advance. In the interim, we ask you to please remember this extraordinary person in your thoughts and prayers.

Family and friends wishing to make a donation in Michael’s memory may do so at: HALO No-Kill Rescue Shelter, 710 Jackson Street, Sebastian, Florida 32958 or Rail Passengers Association, 1200 G Street NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005.

My Love, My Life, My Everything – Nancy

The Best Dad Ever – Nick

Our Snuggle Buddy – Keeley and Dani