Michael Anthony Empson

Michael A. Empson of Hammonton, NJ (Formerly of Denver, CO) age 71 passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. “Mike” is survived by his long time partner, Mary Ann Domenico, and his children, Eric Empson, Steven Empson and David Empson (Jami) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his sisters Linda Whaley and Sharon Kinsman and four grandchildren Aubry Empson, Aaron Empson, Arya Empson, and Nadia Empson, his nephew Christopher Empson, niece Courtney Whaley and nephew Aidan Kinsman. He is predeceased by his parents, Delores and Donald, and his brother-in-law, Richard Kinsman, all of Denver, CO. Mike worked many years for Ashland Chemical of Denver, CO as a truck driver. He loved the solitude of the open road and spent his working days enjoying traveling on the scenic mountain highways. He had a great love of the outdoors and was an avid camper and fisherman, enjoying many fishing trips to Jefferson Lake in the mountains of Colorado with friends and family. He shared many stories about some of his more memorable excursions. He also enjoyed hiking the many mountain trails in the beautiful Colorado Rockies and spoke about them often with fondness. Mike’s great love of animals had him spending many years with his dog Bronco in Colorado hiking and camping. When he moved to New Jersey, he became best friends with Kody, his K-9 companion here for many years. He also was a cat lover and adopted a feral cat which he named Gary and whom he rescued along with 3 other brothers and sisters from a litter that was abandoned in his back yard. He never turned his back on any creature that needed his help and the fur babies were attune to his caring and concern for them. After he retired from Ashland Chemical, he moved to New Jersey to be with his long time partner Mary Ann, with whom he spent the last 15 years of his life. He worked for the Hammonton Board of Education as a bus driver for several years, and made many friends there along the way. He finally retired from the work force in August of 2018. Mike’s dry sense of humor and soft spoken nature was loved by both friends and family. He was well versed in current events and a great lover of debating the facts as he saw them. He was a self-taught historian and had great knowledge of many things about which he spoke with great enthusiasm. He was always up for a discussion and could hold his own against the best of them! He was also an avid chess player and an expert scrabble player as well. Anyone who could hold their own against Mike was considered a formidable opponent! Mike made you smile and laugh and when you were with him, you felt like you were one of the most important people in his life. He will be greatly missed and remain close in our hearts. No formal services will be held for Mike at this time, but there may be a Celebration of Life Memorial service held in the Spring. More details to come on a date for that Memorial service. Anyone who wishes to do so may make a donation to their favorite charity or make a donation to any animal rescue of their choice in Mike’s name.