Obituary for Michael "Mickey" Houdart
Michael R. Houdart (Mickey), was born on January 23, 1944 to parents Paul and Margaret (Delaney) Houdart in Salem, NJ. He attended Saint Mary’s parochial school and Salem High School. He then went on and graduated with a B.S. degree in Petroleum Marketing from Western Michigan University. Wishing to fulfill his military obligation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Fort Dix, NJ; Fort McClellan, AL; Fort Benning, GA and Augsburg, Germany and was honorably discharged from Fort Riley, KS. His first career position was with the Petroleum Chemicals Division of E.I. DuPont Company in Wilmington, DE. Later, after 25 years of service with the State of New Jersey he retired as the business administrator of a large state institution.
Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Lynn Simpson Houdart, his two sons Michael (Melissa) of Marlton, NJ, and Jonathan (Jessica) of Tuckahoe, NJ. He leaves five grandchildren: Robin 24, Annie 14, Taylor 14, Katie 12, and Alyssa 12. Also surviving is sister Mary Lou Timberman of Elmer, NJ and sister-in-Law Beth Simpson of Marmora, NJ.
Mike was a devoted Christian who at various times was a member of all four Methodist churches in Upper Township. He loved participating in the church’s activities and especially the men’s clubs. He was active in his community throughout the years. He felt an obligation to serve on the local school board when his children were attending school. He also felt an obligation to serve the community on the township committee and ran twice for local office. He was defeated on both occasions, but he enjoyed the experience and gained friends on both sides of the aisle. He served as a coach for his boys’ baseball, basketball, and soccer teams as they grew up.
Mike was a member and volunteer for numerous organizations such as the local hospital, the Mayflower Colony of New Jersey, the CMC Civil War Roundtable, the South Seaville Camp Meeting, Rotary, the historic Head of the River Church. He was a 30-year member of the Upper Township Historical Society. He will miss his Wednesday morning coffee club with the fellas, Ralph, Hal, Tom, and Horace. Also, his Thursday football lunches with Allan, Al, and Jon. Every week Mike would find time to visit, call, or write to a sick member of the community either at their home, hospital, or nursing home. He thought it was a good thing to do and he enjoyed his conversations with them.
Family was everything to Mike. His wife Lynn was the love of his life — where one was, the other wasn’t far away. He was also so proud of his two sons. As they got older, they were not only sons but his best friends as well. They enjoyed good times together. On Father’s Day over twenty years ago, his sons surprised him by planting a US flag on a small island at Route 49 and Union Road toward Millville. He passed this flag on his way to work every day. A flag still flies there and is seen by thousands every year as they go to and from the shore.
He also loved spending time with his grandchildren. As a family tradition, Mike would give each grandchild on their birthday a shiny, uncirculated Morgan silver dollar. They looked forward to their treasure.
As a hobby, Mike was a scripophilist and collected antique stock and bond certificates for over 40 years. He loved studying financial history.
Mike liked to write and wrote over twenty articles on local history in the newspapers, wrote articles for national and international publications, and wrote six booklets on topics from cemeteries and revolutionary and civil war soldiers to “How to Beat the House at Blackjack.”
He was a true patriot and on every September 17th of the past twenty years he would give out 100 free pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution. He believed that we need more awareness of our founding documents.
Mike leaves a written legacy to his children called the “Houdart Covenant.” Among other things it is a directive to live a good and moral life and to leave the next generation better than their own. He was proud to say they have already accomplished that goal.
The family would like to thank Holy Redeemer Nursing and Cass for their excellent care. And to the always caring Dr. Jerry Horowitz: thank you.
Mike wishes the best for his beloved community in Upper Township and Osprey Point and invites all who knew him, when they are ready, to meet him at the pearly gates and enjoy eternity with our holy Lord in Heaven. We’ll leave the lights on for ya!
Services will be held privately for the family. If you wish, donations can be made to the Historical Society of Upper Township (P.O. Box 658, Marmora NJ 08223), Ranch Hope (45 Sawmill Rd. PO Box 325, Alloway NJ 08001), or Beacon Animal Rescue (701 Butter Rd, Ocean View NJ 08230).
Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Lynn Simpson Houdart, his two sons Michael (Melissa) of Marlton, NJ, and Jonathan (Jessica) of Tuckahoe, NJ. He leaves five grandchildren: Robin 24, Annie 14, Taylor 14, Katie 12, and Alyssa 12. Also surviving is sister Mary Lou Timberman of Elmer, NJ and sister-in-Law Beth Simpson of Marmora, NJ.
Mike was a devoted Christian who at various times was a member of all four Methodist churches in Upper Township. He loved participating in the church’s activities and especially the men’s clubs. He was active in his community throughout the years. He felt an obligation to serve on the local school board when his children were attending school. He also felt an obligation to serve the community on the township committee and ran twice for local office. He was defeated on both occasions, but he enjoyed the experience and gained friends on both sides of the aisle. He served as a coach for his boys’ baseball, basketball, and soccer teams as they grew up.
Mike was a member and volunteer for numerous organizations such as the local hospital, the Mayflower Colony of New Jersey, the CMC Civil War Roundtable, the South Seaville Camp Meeting, Rotary, the historic Head of the River Church. He was a 30-year member of the Upper Township Historical Society. He will miss his Wednesday morning coffee club with the fellas, Ralph, Hal, Tom, and Horace. Also, his Thursday football lunches with Allan, Al, and Jon. Every week Mike would find time to visit, call, or write to a sick member of the community either at their home, hospital, or nursing home. He thought it was a good thing to do and he enjoyed his conversations with them.
Family was everything to Mike. His wife Lynn was the love of his life — where one was, the other wasn’t far away. He was also so proud of his two sons. As they got older, they were not only sons but his best friends as well. They enjoyed good times together. On Father’s Day over twenty years ago, his sons surprised him by planting a US flag on a small island at Route 49 and Union Road toward Millville. He passed this flag on his way to work every day. A flag still flies there and is seen by thousands every year as they go to and from the shore.
He also loved spending time with his grandchildren. As a family tradition, Mike would give each grandchild on their birthday a shiny, uncirculated Morgan silver dollar. They looked forward to their treasure.
As a hobby, Mike was a scripophilist and collected antique stock and bond certificates for over 40 years. He loved studying financial history.
Mike liked to write and wrote over twenty articles on local history in the newspapers, wrote articles for national and international publications, and wrote six booklets on topics from cemeteries and revolutionary and civil war soldiers to “How to Beat the House at Blackjack.”
He was a true patriot and on every September 17th of the past twenty years he would give out 100 free pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution. He believed that we need more awareness of our founding documents.
Mike leaves a written legacy to his children called the “Houdart Covenant.” Among other things it is a directive to live a good and moral life and to leave the next generation better than their own. He was proud to say they have already accomplished that goal.
The family would like to thank Holy Redeemer Nursing and Cass for their excellent care. And to the always caring Dr. Jerry Horowitz: thank you.
Mike wishes the best for his beloved community in Upper Township and Osprey Point and invites all who knew him, when they are ready, to meet him at the pearly gates and enjoy eternity with our holy Lord in Heaven. We’ll leave the lights on for ya!
Services will be held privately for the family. If you wish, donations can be made to the Historical Society of Upper Township (P.O. Box 658, Marmora NJ 08223), Ranch Hope (45 Sawmill Rd. PO Box 325, Alloway NJ 08001), or Beacon Animal Rescue (701 Butter Rd, Ocean View NJ 08230).