Michael Ratliff

Michael H. Ratliff
November 4, 1946 – June 18, 2026
Michael H. Ratliff (“Mike”), 79, of Montclair, NJ, passed away on June 18, 2026.
Mike was born in San Antonio to Lawrence “Larry” and Melva “Pete” Ratliff, and spent much of his childhood moving across the country and abroad as the son of an Air Force fighter pilot, attending 11 different schools before the family ultimately considered Texas home. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering, and later received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center.

He built a long and respected career in engineering, sales, and manufacturing before founding Marco Manufacturing in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1996. Following the closure of the local Atlantic Design facility, Mike took a leap—hiring former employees, reopening operations, and building what would become a successful electronics manufacturing business. The company’s name, “Marco,” was drawn from the initials of his sons, a reflection of the pride he took in his family.

Mike was a serious and steady presence, known for his work ethic, discipline, and commitment to those around him. Outside of work, he was deeply proud of and devoted to his sons, Michael and Matthew, and was closely involved in their lives—coaching their early soccer and baseball teams and rarely missing a game as they grew up. Mike was an avid tennis player, and enjoyed golf, travel, boating and fishing—though patience was not always his strength—and spent summers in Ocean City, where he was often found building drip castles and bodysurfing with the kids.

Mike is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna; their sons, Michael (daughter-in-law, Krista) and Matthew; grandchildren Ava and Simone; his sister Patricia Ratliff; brothers-in-law Raymond Guzman, Glenn (Laurie) Rahme, and John Rahme; and nieces and nephews Shawna, Patrick, Alissa, Derek, Brandon, and Paisley. He was preceded by his sister Shannon and his nephew Christopher.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park Street, Montclair. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair, 53 Norwood Avenue, Montclair, with a lunch reception immediately following the service at Glen Ridge Country Club, 555 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), or The Brookdale Park Conservancy.