Michael Moriel Aldrich, 74, husband of the late Marie C. Aldrich of Stamford, Connecticut and the late Mary D. Aldrich of New Canaan, CT passed away on Friday, February 21 in his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Michael Aldrich https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fredericksburg-va/michael-aldrich-12255969
Born on September 10, 1950, in Charleston, West Virginia, Mike was the son of the late Edwin Moriel Aldrich and Marge Ann Taylor Aldrich Mullin. He spent his childhood in Rochester, Michigan before attending Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. Mike is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point- a “proud and true” member of the class of ‘72. His education at West Point instilled in him a commitment to service, leadership, and discipline- qualities that he brought into every chapter of his life.
After serving for eight years on active duty, he resigned as a Captain and moved to Stamford to pursue a distinguished career in software and engineering sales, highlighted by his time at Force Protection Inc., a company that created mine-protected vehicles which saved countless soldiers’ lives during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He led the company to and through its acquisition by General Dynamics in 2011. Colleagues and friends admired him, not only for his professional expertise, but also for his generous spirit, keen intellect, witty sense of humor, and the genuine care and concern he showed for everyone around him.
Mike was an active member of his home parish of St. Aloysius in New Canaan where he taught religious education, compassionately served families during funeral services, and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship of his Church community. Always a patriot, Mike also worked for the Town of New Canaan in the Elections Office and he mentored many young men and women who aspired to attend our nation’s military academies.
Most important to Mike was his family. He is survived by his five children, Carrie Maliszewski (Brian), Maria Aldrich, Thomas Aldrich (Kristin), John Aldrich (Jessica), and Jacquelynn Aldrich (Nico), and 17 beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his oldest sister, Ann Patterson (Pat) and his brothers Joseph Aldrich and Robert Aldrich (Lori) and 6 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his younger sister Gail Stormzand (Mark). Additionally, Mike embraced his 3 step-daughters and enjoyed 7 step-grandchildren.
His legacy lives on in the values he imparted, to include a favorite line from the Cadet Prayer, “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong”. He was truly a man of faith, patience, and perseverance and his memory will be treasured by all who were fortunate enough to know him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date, where friends and family can gather to honor his enduring spirit and remember a life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Long Gray Line Fund at wpaog.org.
[This obituary appeared on Dignity Memorial.]