Michael Joseph Chiarolanza, age 77, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at home.

Mike was born in Philadelphia, PA, to Mario P. & Josephine Chiarolanza on October 6, 1946. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, PA. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Mike was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpa Fraternity.

Next, Mike enlisted in the US Navy, enrolled in the Aviation Officer Command and received his Naval Aviator wings in the spring of 1970. Mike flew the P-3, an anti-submarine aircraft, served as Flag Lieutenant on an aircraft carrier group based in Naples, Italy, and after ten and one-half years active duty, Mike transferred to the Naval Reserves, completing his Naval career with 22 years military service. Hired by Texas International Airlines in 1979, Mike began his commercial airline pilot career. His career path included Sun World Airlines, Continental Airlines, People's Express Airlines, and ultimately United Airlines. Mike derived great joy (and frustrations) from his career as an Airline Captain. During his younger life, Mike obtained his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. Besides his love of aviation, Mike enjoyed quail hunting with his friend, Jim Bevill, and offshore fishing with Don Phillips on the Anticipation in Pensacola, FL.

Survivors include his loving wife of 53 1/2 years, Barbara; his sister, Lucille Trabosh (George); his brother, Ron Chiarolanza (Marla); his brother, Gerry Chiarolanza (Jackie); his sister-in-law, Kim Chancellor; his brother-in-law, Mac (partner, Cindy Culbertson); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mike would have liked special recognition of two young Marine Aviators (Major Kyle J. McHugh and Major William Angus Mahoney) that he mentored later in his life. They brought so much pride and joy to Mike and Barbara as they became Marine Aviators, started their families, and advanced in their military careers.

Mike will be fondly remembered for being an Aviator, an avid outdoorsman, and for being a loving husband, brother, and uncle.

Visitation will be held 12:00noon until a Funeral Mass begins at 12:30pm Monday, January 22, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Gulf Beach Hwy., Pensacola, FL, with Fr. Tom Collins celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.

Pallbearers will be Major William Angus Mahoney, USMC, Mac Chancellor, Joey Tordella, and Keith Phillips.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Colonel Dick Rader, USAF (Ret.), George Trabosh, Ron Chiarolanza, and Dr. Joseph Tordella, Jr, USAF (Ret.).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Mike's memory to the Temporal Bone Cancer Research Fund, care of Dr. Paul Gidley, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P. O. Box 4470 Houston, TX 77210 or online at http://mdacc.convio.net/goto/InHonorOfMichaelChiarolanza .