Michael T. Rice, 67, passed away peacefully at his home in Roxbury, CT on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Michael, known as Mike to those close to him, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut and grew up in Wilton, graduating from Central Catholic High School in Norwalk.   As a young man, he met the love of his life Patricia Muttitt at Friendly's in Wilton and they celebrated more than 44 years of marriage together, building a home in Roxbury and raising their two children, Tracy and Stephen.

Mike worked as a courier for FedEx in Danbury for almost 20 years and was a police officer in Roxbury for over 27 years.  In later years, Mike started his own small business, Mike's Beehives LLC, and became known locally as the "bee whisperer."  He developed a passion for teaching people about beekeeping, helping others get started with the hobby, maintaining his own hives, and producing local honey.  Mike was an accomplished wood-worker, using his skills to build any number of beautiful items, but he especially enjoyed crafting beehives and butterfly, bird, and bat houses.

Mike will be remembered for his quick wit and his ability to be serious or silly depending on his audience.  His radiant smile was contagious, and he loved all types of music, often seen to be the last man standing on the dance floor at all the family events.  Mike was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, camping, boating and hiking.  He also enjoyed exploring new hobbies and put his "all" into everything he did, holding several scuba diving certifications and becoming a licensed private pilot and black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He was a travel enthusiast and has been around the world on many adventures with his wife as well as several independent scuba diving excursions.

Mike's greatest passion was his family, and he leaves behind his devoted wife, Patricia, and beloved children and their spouses, Tracy and Bryan Hurlburt of Tolland, CT and Stephen and Jenna Rice of Monroe, CT.  Mike's four grandchildren, Madelyn and Elyse Hurlburt and Thea and Simon Rice were his pride and joy, and they will cherish the memories they made with him baking, playing, and visiting the family's camp on Sebec Lake in Maine.  Mike was predeceased by both his parents William J. Rice and Maryhelen (Benn) Rice of Wilton, CT and later Durham, ME; as well as his siblings Jane E. Rice (Westminster, Maryland), David W. (Jane) Rice (Durham, ME), and Timothy J. (Lori) Rice (Bethel, CT).  Mike leaves behind his siblings William J. (Brooke) Rice III of Warren, CT and Mathew C. (Lori) Rice of Durham, ME and many nieces and nephews and several grand-nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 6-8pm at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, 235 Main Street North, Southbury, CT.  A Catholic funeral mass will be held Friday, September 23, 2022 at 10 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 25 Church Street, Roxbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Michael's honor to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (http://events.stjude.org/MichaelTRice) or to the American Cancer Society.

Memorial condolences may be expressed at https://www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com/obituary/Michael-Rice