Obituary of Michael P. Rainsford

Michael Rainsford of Monroe Township, New Jersey passed away peacefully on July 11, 2020 at the age of 84 surrounded by his immediate family. 

Michael was born in January 1936 to William and Margaret Rainsford and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  He graduated St. Francis Prep in Brooklyn and received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in New York.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army and would go on to receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves. 

Michael spent over 40 years as an accountant in the pharmaceutical industry working for several large corporations including Richardson-Vicks and Sterling Drug/Bayer retiring in 2000. A devout Roman Catholic, Michael was active in the church throughout his adult life regularly serving as a lector in his local parish.  An avid traveler, he visited numerous countries but had a special place for Ireland, his ancestral home and his wife’s birthplace.

Michael leaves behind the love of his life, Mary Frances, whom he married in 1962.  He is survived by his daughter Johanna and husband John of Monroe Twp., NJ, son Kevin and wife Norah of Jamaica Plain, MA and son Timothy (TJ) of Frederick, MD.  He is predeceased by his son Francis.  He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Mary Jean Rainsford, Brendan Rainsford, Shannon Rainsford, Sarah Mandy, Grace Mandy, and Conaghan Rainsford.  He is also survived by his sister Margaret Dunleavy and brothers James and William Rainsford along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Tuesday July 14, 2020 and from 9:15am to 9:45am on Wednesday July 15, 2020 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. 205 Rhode Hall Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831, 732-521-0555, www.demarcofuneralhome.com.  Funeral services will begin at 9:45am on Wednesday from the funeral home.  A funeral liturgy will be 10:30am at Nativity of Our Lord RC Church, 185 Applegarth Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 followed by Interment in Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick Twp., NJ.

As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions placed on public life and activities, all current guidelines will be observed including the use of face coverings and social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Michael can be made to the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation at www.fightec.org or to a charity of one's choice.