Michael Francis Jaquish, 72, of Pace, passed away suddenly at home, on Saturday, December 16, 2017. He was born on May 17, 1945, in Washington, D.C. to Ethel and Francis Jaquish. He was the eldest of five boys and cherished his “big brother” role, especially after his father died at the age of 39. Mike followed his dad and two uncles into the Marine Corps upon graduation from Mansfield College; and went from OCS to flight school in Pensacola, Florida, where he bought a Navy Relief ticket from his future wife. He always said that was the best money he had ever spent. He flew seven different aircraft and told his jet pilot friends that helicopters were for him, because “jets don’t auto-rotate!” He served in Viet Nam in squadron HMM 262, then came home to Ellyson Field to instruct for two years. He left the corps as a Captain with 1500 flight hours, and always missed flying. Mike returned to college in Gainesville at the University of Florida and decided instead of teaching he would rather try his hand at real estate. Real estate was his job, his passion and his hobby and never retired. He loved meeting people and always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jessie and Jimmy Todd; and his precious special niece, Carolyn Bond. Mike is survived by his wife, Pamela Todd Jaquish, of Pace; his “only, and all he needed” son and partner, Michael James Jaquish, of Milton; his four younger brothers, David (Nancy) Jaquish and Francis (Susie) Jaquish, both of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, Dan (Kelly) Jaquish, of Pensacola, Florida, and Joseph Jaquish, of Daytona Beach, Florida. He also leaves to cherish his memory, two sisters-in-law, Sherry (Doyle) Lee and Toni (Bill) Hadder; brother-in-law, Jimmy Keeley, of Arizona; and many precious nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; special friend, Rick Gould; and two lifelong Marine buddies, William C. King and Lt Gen Fred McCorkle. It was stated, “the light of our family is gone,” by his youngest sister-in-law, “and he will definitely be missed.” A Memorial Service will be held for Mike at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel. Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.