Michael Lee Grieneisen died in Sanford, FL on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the age of 81.
Mike is survived by his former spouse Eleanor; son Francis Charles of Oviedo, FL; son Michael of Sacramento, CA; son Jeffery [Courtney] of Bradenton, FL; daughter Kelly [Grant] Grieneisen Tillotson of Oviedo, FL; grandsons Devin [Lisa] Smith, Evan Tillotson, and Valentino Grieneisen, granddaughter Hailey Tillotson, great-grandsons Marshall and Ashton Smith, and brother Francis “Bud” [Jean] of Brockway, in addition to several nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Beverly of Brockway, and infant son, James, who is buried on the hill in Wildwood Cemetery beside where Mike will be laid to rest.
Mike was born on November 19, 1940, in DuBois, PA to Chuck and Beverly [née Levis].
He graduated from Brockway Area High School in 1958 and shortly thereafter attended Travel School in Phoenix, AZ and married Eleanor Taube. He was an accomplished travel agent, working ticket counters and travel desks in many cities, such as Phoenix, AZ, Detroit, MI, Harrisburg, PA, Cleveland, OH, and Orlando, FL for numerous airlines including American Flyers, Apache Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and companies such as Airline Charter Tours, Hess’s Travel, Rosenbluth Travel, and his own businesses, Florida Fantasy Tours, Longwood International Travel, and Hub Delivery. In his role as a travel agent, this small-town boy single-handedly led several tour groups through numerous international travel destinations, including cruises down the Rhine River in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria, walking through Madrid during bullfighting season, traversing the sandy landscapes of the Bahamas, and many others. Among his many managerial roles, Mike owned a Tastee Freez in Mechanicsburg, PA and managed TVI Trackless Trolleys in Kissimmee, FL, Malibu Grand Prix on International Drive in Orlando, FL, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine, FL, and Indian Oaks Community in Rockledge, FL. He retired in 2013, which gave him more time to attend family events and enjoy his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mike was accomplished at many tasks, earning licensure in scuba diving and real estate. He was an avid snorkeler and enjoyed taking day trips throughout Florida on weekends with his son, Chuck, seeking out new springs to explore. During summer visits, he would take all his children snorkeling at the freshwater springs around Orlando and walking through the area parks, including one memorable hike through Wekiwa Springs National Park that ended in the family navigating through a sudden tropical storm. As an experienced and beloved travel agent, he took the family on frequent visits to such destinations as Sea World, Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, local water parks, and many other Orlando area attractions and entertainment venues.
We will all remember the glass bottom boat tours and air boat rides through Florida’s swamplands. His brother Bud fondly recalls a vacation trip to Church Street Station, where Mike “flashed his business card, and they treated us like royalty.” Mike was happiest when those around him were enjoying themselves. He was never at a loss for advice for anyone who would listen (and even for those who would not). He leaves a lasting legacy in his descendants and expressed recently that he wants nothing more than for everyone to stay close in his absence, including his son- and daughter-in law, whom he refers to as his own children. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he maintained a love for family and a special place in his heart, always, for his beloved Brockway. We can’t bury him under the old oak tree on Maple Avenue as he once asked, but he will be home again and at rest in Wildwood. In his last days, he related a familiar story of the first climber to reach the top of Mt. Everest; when asked “why did you climb the mountain?” the climber responded, “because it’s there.” Mike shared that his never-ending search for travel was inspired by the same question, but his own answer would be “to see what’s on the other side.” So here’s to Mike’s legacy of always wanting to see what’s on the other side.
Friends will be received on Friday, July 15 from 12 PM to 1 PM at the Carlson-Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway. A memorial service will immediately follow at 1 PM with Rev. Terry Felt officiating. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mike’s life.