Michael Lewis Ertz (Chief) died at his home in Port Orange with family present and comforting him as he passed on August 20 2012 at exactly 10:00 p.m. after a two and a half year hard fought battlewith cancer. He was born in Reading PA on September 28 1950 to John and Gloria Ertz and was the eldest of four sons. Michael was married to his soul mate Kathleen Cobert on December 22 1979 and cherished every day spent with her as she with him. Michael began his career in the Fire Service as a volunteer firefighter in Central Square NY in 1968. He moved to Northern Virginia in 1973 and was employed with Prince William County as a firefighter until 1981 rising to the rank of captain. He left Prince William County to pursue his dream of becoming a fire chief. In the interim of pursing this dream he became an instructor with the Florida Fire College in Ocala FL and from that position he fulfilled his dream when he was hired as the City of Port Orange Fire Chief on September 1 1983. When Chief Ertz took the reins in Port Orange the city had two fire stations. During his twenty years of service to the city the population grew and to insure the community needs were met he successfully had three additional stations built and fully manned. He was instrumental in assuring that the fire service provided the citizens of City of Port Orange with the highest quality care and service the city had to offer. Michael's highest professional achievement was becoming the Fire Chief in the City of Port Orange a city and community which he loved. He had the greatest respect for all the city officials with whom he worked for and with but in particular were Mayors Allen Green Jim Fisher Jim Ward and Judy Anderson and City Manager Ken Parker. They shared his vision of a safe and vibrant community where he lived and raised his family. His pursuit of excellence for the fire service continued beyond being a fire chief in that he also fully supported and participated in several committees with the Volusia County Fire Chiefs and Florida Fire Chief's Association. He served as president of the Volusia County Fire Chiefs. As a member of the Florida Fire Chief's Association he rose through the Association serving as Secretary/Treasurer 2nd and 1st Vice President. One of his proudest moments was his election as president of the Florida Fire Chief's Association inwhich he served from 1998 to 1999. Michael was an avid golfer; he loved to travel enjoyed wine music and above all he loved being with his family. Michael is survived by his wife Kathy his children: son Michael and his wife Christin grandchildren Logan and Lauren: daughter Melissa and grandchildren Nicholas and Madison; son Matthew and wife Katie and daughter Kristin and husband Paul. Also he is survived by his father John E Ertz Mother-In-Law Pauline Cobert and brothers Terry Pat and Tim. The service for Michael will be held at Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange 1201 Dunlawton Avenue Port Orange FL 32127 on Friday August 24 2012 at 2:00pm with receiving hours beginning at 12:00pm. Charitable donations can be made to Shriners Hospitals the Burn Center for Children www.DONATE2SHC.ORG 800-241-4438 and CCC-Colorectal Cancer Coalition HTTP://FIGHTCOLORECTALCANCER.ORG/DONATE 877-427-2111. The family would also like to thank the men and women of Vitas Hospice. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.