Michael D. Jennings, 78, of Mattapoisett, passed away Friday, October 15th, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Elaine (Sylvia) Jennings with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Edward H. and Pauline "Rita" (Charette) Jennings, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life.
Michael was a kind, thoughtful man who enjoyed everyone he met. He loved people. Michael spent many of his childhood summers visiting Mattapoisett with his aunt and uncle Frank and Yvonne Pimental. During these vacations he found his love of Mattapoisett and made it his home in 1969. After graduating from New Bedford High School, he served proudly in the U.S. Navy. Michael loved his country and always wore his veteran's hat. He worked for Verizon for 30 years before retiring in 1997. He spent his retirement years being with his family, and loved going to his granddaughters sporting events. Michael enjoyed traveling, and cruises to the Caribbeans, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and Europe. His last trip was to Madeira and Lisbon. His favorite pastime was sailing out of the Mattapoisett harbor on his sailboat "Jade". He loved the ocean, and the challenge of identifying a passing boat. When Christmas time would come around, he would dress up as Santa Claus for the neighborhood kids. Michael enjoyed sports, especially the Patriots. He had season tickets for many years and watched every game. He was a member of Tin Can Sailors, Machaucum Club of Mattapoisett, Bell Retirees, Telephone Pioneers, and the Civil War Round Table in New Bedford.
Survivors include his wife; a son Michael Jennings, Jr., and his partner Heidi of Clearwater, FL; a daughter Maurine Rodrigues and her husband Todd of Fairhaven; his sisters, Cynthia Hamlet and her husband Wayne, and Paula Jennings; grandchildren, Brett Jennings, Kailee, Kamryn, and Kaitlyn Rodrigues; and great-grandchildren, Landon, Aria and Scarlett Jennings.
He is predeceased by his siblings, Edward Jennings and Susan Mull.
His memorial visitation will be held Saturday, October 23rd from 9 AM to 12 Noon in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. A Memorial Service will be held at Noon, followed by a celebration of life luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Michael's memory to Tunnel to Towers at https://t2t.org/ or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/