Michael George Thibodeau Jr.AGE: 30 • formerly of PittsgroveMichael George Thibodeau Jr. age 30, died on February 13, 2017 at NYU, Lutheran Hospital in Brooklyn, NY following a sudden illness. He was surrounded by his loving family, close college friend and devoted nursing staff of the SICU unit. Michael was born on November 17, 1986 in Long Branch, NJ. In his first year of life the family moved from central Jersey to Pittsgrove NJ. Michael grew and thrived in his community amongst his family, many friends and variety of animals spanning the first 18 years of his life. He attended Pittsgrove schools and then St. Augustine Prep in Richland, NJ for high school. Michael began competitively swimming at the age of 10 and continued at the Prep through his junior year. After high school Michael attended Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah Georgia. There he majored in Film and Television and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2009. He fell in love with the beautiful city of Savannah and revisited many times since his graduation. Michael always managed to find employment in the challenging film industry. He started with a small acting role as a stand in, in Robert Redford's movie "The Conspirator" ,filmed in Savannah. Then he went on to work at a film company, Ondamax in Miami. Finally on to his last job in NYC for Lovett Productions a documentary film company, for the past 3 years. From his part time work as a teenager at the local hardware and feed store Schalick Mills to his final job dealing with people globally, Michael's experiences helped shape the incredible man he had become. He was one of the kindest, caring, supportive and nurturing people you will know. Just knowing Michael was being a witness to his creative spirit. It touched every aspect of his life both professionally and personally. From Michael's earliest years he was a movie buff, both watching and then filming them. His sister, brother, friends and family pets were all willing actors. He also loved to travel. Every year of his life he would spend time at the family camp in Maine….truly one of his most favorite places on earth. He also loved traveling abroad. Because of Michael, he and his family were especially fortunate to experience a "trip of a lifetime" to Italy including one of his most memorable places Positano and Capri.Michael's other interests included hiking, going to the beach, music, photography and finding the best local eateries wherever he lived. To spend a day with Michael was to spend your day joyfully. Michael will be missed, beyond comprehension, by his devoted and loving family members. His parents Michael and Barbara, older sister Amy and younger brother Henry. He will also be missed by his maternal grandmother Victoria Devlin and paternal grandfather Edgar Thibodeau. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Robert Devlin in 2013 and paternal grandmother Mary Louise Thibodeau in 2015. Michael is also survived by his loving aunts and uncles, as well as many cousins whom he loved and enjoyed. A Memorial and Life Celebration will be held on March 5, 2017 at 12 noon-4 pm at Eastlyn Golf Club in Vineland, NJ. People wishing to pay condolences only may do so between 12 noon -12:45. Those staying for the luncheon please RSVP to [email protected] by Feb. 26th. If you wish to make a charitable donation please contact the above email. An endowment scholarship to SCAD is currently being set up in Michael's name and will be ready to access online shortly.