Michael James Vance
Berlin
Michael James Vance, age 78, of Berlin, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.
He was born in Baltimore and was the son of the late Lawrence William Vance and Agnes (Coyne) Vance.
Michael’s life was an inspiration to his family and friends who came to know him throughout his many endeavors. He overcame numerous difficulties in his childhood to establish two long-standing, successful businesses in the Baltimore area as the owner of Heritage Homes Real Estate and Heritage Kitchens. Before that, he worked at Norris Ford and Prudential Insurance. After retiring to the Eastern Shore, Michael and his beloved wife of 54 years, Renata, fulfilled a dream by buying a crop farm in Berlin, where “Grandy and Maw” lived happily with their chickens, dogs, and cats and regularly hosted fun-filled family Sunday gatherings and Thanksgivings.
Known for giving wise advice and offering help in any situation, Grandy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His family was always the first priority throughout his life. The love of God was evident in Michael’s words and actions, and he consistently demonstrated courage and quiet strength during his years-long battle with many serious health problems, including two open heart surgeries. Through it all, he and his loving wife Renata were inseparable. Even in the midst of overwhelming health odds, Michael never stopped smiling and reassuring his family and friends with his famous jokes and quirky sense of humor.
Michael had a strong faith in Jesus and was a member of St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church in Berlin.
Michael is survived by his wife, Renata Louise (Durra) Vance; four daughters, Lisa Michelle Wilson and husband Richard of Berlin, MD, Theresa Louise Helfrich and husband Adam of Croswell, MI, Emily Bridget Taylor and husband Aaron of Frederick, MD, and Renata Anne Lovitt of Pittsville, MD; a brother, Lawrence William Vance, Jr., of Glen Rock, PA; and nine grandchildren, Sean and Jack Wilson, Concetta and Emma Helfrich, Jonah and Alana Taylor, Mia and Renata Lynn Lovitt, and Olivia Vance Messinger.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his twin brothers, Anthony and Timothy Vance.
Michael was proud of his Irish heritage and planned his own funeral to include a tribute to his ancestry. A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 South Main St., Selbyville, DE.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 11211 Beauchamp Rd., Berlin, Md. Burial will be in the Garden of the Pines Cemetery in Berlin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in Michael’s memory may be directed to support the research of Dr. Mary Armanios at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University. Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating “this gift is in memory of Michael James Vance” to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, Md. 21202 or https://secure.jhu.edu/form/Kimmel.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.