Surrounded by family, Michael Dean Shifflett of Gloucester, died on June 6, 2026, after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.
Graduating from Gloucester High School and Old Dominion University, Michael held many jobs throughout his life—from grocery clerk to bank auditor. He ended his career as the director of Gloucester County’s Rental Assistance program. It wasn’t at all unusual to learn that he had personally made repairs to a rental structure or helped struggling clients with food and medical challenges. In his later years many knew Michael from the Mathews Farmers’ Market where he could be found under the big oak tree selling jewelry made by his wife, Roberta. Rarely did a customer leave without surplus vegetables and fruit from their large gardens.
An avid waterfowler, Michael amassed a large collection of working and decorative decoys, carvings and waterfowl related artwork. He was a talented fisherman and there wasn’t much he enjoyed more than pushing off in a little skiff of a morning to see what might be biting. If nothing was, Michael was equally happy to stroll a beach searching for arrowheads and whatever else wind and tide might reveal. He was a true outdoorsman—the kind of man who always had a bandana in his back pocket—and a committed Washington Commanders fan (Hail to the Redskins!). Michael enjoyed flea markets and the prospect of finding the good deal. He was a quiet man with a dry and often ironic sense of humor. Michael was a famous prankster who didn’t suffer fools yet he was a true and loyal friend. To the end, however, Michael was a romantic. He eloped with his soulmate to Acadia National Park 43 years ago and mornings found him making Roberta his famous cappuccinos, complete with shaved chocolate. No matter what the weather, every year he took his bride to her favorite place, New Point Comfort Lighthouse, for her birthday. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family and loved ones.
Michael’s spirit left this world in the arms of his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Josephine Shifflett, as well as his brother, Brent. Besides his wife, Roberta, Michael leaves behind his sons, Jerred and Joseph; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Alex Gaya; grandchildren, Ellen and Brady; mother-in-law, Viola Bonniville; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Jerry German; niece, Erica DeForge, and nephew, Tim German. He called Brody Motley his own as well.
Michael left the world a better place for those who loved him, as well as for the strangers who benefitted from his lifetime of performing random kindnesses. His family and friends take comfort knowing that his spirit will continue to add loving humanity to the universe for the eons to come.