Obituary of Michael A. Xillas
March 2, 2020 aged 72. Predeceased by parents, Andrew & Molly. Survived by his loving wife, Janis; daughters, Mollie Xillas & Kate (Benjamin) Gould; brother, George (Tom Hall) Xillas
Mike grew up in Baltimore with frequent visits to Aliquippa PA where many family members lived, including cousins George, Nene and Andy. One summer he worked at his uncle’s gas station...a source of many stories for his later years. Mike attended the University of Maryland, receiving a business degree. His career in Marketing took him to several states where he worked for consumer products companies like Gillette , Sylvania , Sunbeam and Pacific Electricord. In his late 50s , Mike left the marketing field and for 5 years followed in his father’s footsteps and sold cars, primarily at Acura Dealerships, in Buffalo and Rochester. He won awards and trips for sales and excellence as determined by his customers. Mike retired in 2009.
Mike and Jan married in 1977 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. 4 years later, on their anniversary, they welcomed daughter Kate. In 1984 second daughter Mollie was born in Wheaton Illinois. In subsequent years the family lived in
California, Rhode Island and Western NY. Mike loved to regale his daughters with bedtime stories from his youth and childhood, or maybe just stories he made up after one of the girls spun the globe, pointing randomly to the setting for his tale.
Mike had a lifelong love of cars; as a kid he and brother George would sit outside or near a window and name a type of car just by its sound. He owned several mustangs over his lifetime as well as Acuras. Mike loved boating. He owned his own boat in the 70s and spent many weekends waterskiing. Wherever Mike and Jan went on vacation if there was an opportunity to be out on the water with a boat, Mike took it. Once they moved to Rochester, their favorite place to boat was on Keuka Lake.
Mike also loved dogs- in the 70s he adopted a stray German Shepherd, Heidi. After enduring many years of Jan’s cats as pets, he rescued a black German Shepherd, Nico. He took Nico on countless walks, meeting neighbors and other dog walkers along the way. He leaves behind his rescue black lab, Abby, who misses playing “chuck it” with Mike in the back yard.
In retirement, Mike volunteered for the Rochester Score organization, facilitating many workshops about starting a business. He served as a mentor to to numerous hopeful entrepreneurs, receiving the award for mentoring the client of the year.
Mike also drove for FISH, taking people who needed rides to doctors’ appointments etc.
Mike will be deeply missed by friends and relatives near and far, but especially by Jan, Kate, Ben and Mollie.
Family and friends are invited to memorial calling hours Saturday, March 14th 12020 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. (3325 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14623 CLICK FOR MAP). Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers , please consider a donation to Strong Hospital Palliative Care Unit DONATE ONLINE.