Obituary of Michael T. Vilas

Michael Vilas

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

On April 10, 2024, Michael Thomas Vilas completed his journey home surrounded by his loving family. 

Michael Thomas Vilas was born on July 23, 1930, in Jersey City, New Jersey. The oldest son of 4, Mike grew up in Jersey City before entering the Army in 1951, where he served four years, including a two-year tour in the Korean War. After returning to New Jersey, Mike met and married his first wife Constance Salvatore in 1954. While working full-time in the accounting department for Dow Chemical and starting a family, Mike enrolled in night school at Rutgers University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. In 1962, Mike began what would be a long and decorated career with the United States Government, working in the U.S. Army Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, NJ. In 1969, Mike moved his wife Connie and three children to Tucson and began working for the U.S. Army Strategic Command at Fort Huachuca as a Project Manager for the Communication Command of the Military. For the next two decades Mike traveled the world negotiating and procuring communication contracts with numerous U.S. Allies from Europe to the Middle East and as far away as Asia. After retiring in 1988, Mike started his own Tax and Consulting business that he operated until finally retiring in the early 2000s.

After the passing of Connie in 2000, Mike met his second wife, Dorothy at church where they were rarely apart. They enjoyed the next 23 years together traveling and enjoying the families together. Dorothy cared for Mike through many challenges with his health over those years.

A devoted husband and father, Mike never slowed down. He was never the kind of person that would stand by, and watch life pass him by. He was the person that embraced life and challenged it to come along for the journey. On top of a career that took him around the world for weeks at a time, he found time to give his knowledge and time to so many different people and organizations where he served as board members. From Sahuaro Little League where his two sons played, to the Tucson East ELKS Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of Italy. Even after full retirement, he volunteered at the Pima Air and Space Museum and served as an ambassador for the retirement home where he lived until passing.

Mike built a family and created a legacy that will continue for the future generations of the Vilas Family. He spent Sundays after Church calling family members from Aunts and Uncles to cousins, nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren to keep the family close and connected. Mike leaves behind his wife Dorothy, his constant companion, his daughter Linda Collins and sons Tom and Gary Vilas, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.