Michael Joseph Ponte (Mike) 58 of Conway, South Carolina passed away suddenly on April 21, 2023. He was born on August 15, 1964, in Waterbury, Connecticut, the son of the late Americo Ponte and Irene Ponte.

After finishing high school, Mike had a long and successful career in the plumbing industry in Waterbury. He worked for 28 years in counter sales and customer service for the Torrington Supply Company and FW Webb Co. in the areas of plumbing, heating, and HVAC products. He was so good at his job that he received several top salesman awards along the way. He was loved by all his work colleagues. Everyone in the business knew Mike and he knew everyone. In fact, there were contractors who would only deal with Mike given his extensive knowledge and expertise in all things plumbing related. When he and his wife left Connecticut in 2020 for the warmer climate of South Carolina to begin a new chapter of their lives, a collective sigh could be heard coming from his friends and those who worked with him knowing that a "one of a kind" man "had left the building".

On June 13, 1998, Mike married the love of his life Donna D'Agostino. They would have celebrated their 25 ^th wedding anniversary this year. Mike and Donna were not just married but were each other's best friends who enjoyed times together, frolicking with friends, traveling, and taking walks on the beach in their adopted South Carolina home.

Mike was a kind and gentle soul, a truly good man with a heart of gold and a commitment to family and friends. His laugh and smile were legendary. Mike dreamed about being a state police officer, a firefighter, or a pilot. Fate would dictate otherwise. Despite not fulfilling these dreams, Mike was an avid listener of police and fire scanners in his younger days and enjoyed watching airplanes land and take off at local airports. He enjoyed pistol shooting and had an avid interest in aquariums. His love of aviation spawned a hope to fly one day. This was realized when he was taken up in a private plane and allowed to "take the controls" during the flight. This surprise birthday present remained one of his fondest memories. Mike would often wear an authentic modern fighter pilot jacket along with a pair of cool sunglasses. If you didn't know that it was Mike, you would think he was a Top Gun pilot or Tom Cruise. Mike will be forever remembered for the lives he touched. His spirit now soars across the heavens among the planes he so loved.

Mike is survived by his wife of 24 years Donna, his brother Dr. Charles D. Ponte of Morgantown, WV, his aunt Gloria Saxton of Southbury, CT, his sister-in-law Sandra D'Agostino of Conway, SC and several cousins.

As per his wishes, Mike will be cremated. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service and celebration of his life which is being planned for late September or early October in Waterbury, Connecticut. Details will follow.