Max Howard Mitchley

Max Howard Mitchley, 88, loving husband of 38 years to Elizabeth “Pinky” Mitchley, passed away at his home in Bonita Springs, FL on January 27, 2026. He was born in Westfield, PA on November 13, 1937, the son of John and Thelma Mitchley. He attended six different grade schools and three different high schools, graduating from Troy High School in Troy, PA on June 6, 1956, not at the top of his class. He lettered in three sports: track & field, basketball and football, football being his favorite. He was also elected class president during his senior year. Upon graduation, Max enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his Honorable Discharge, Max returned to civilian life in Elmira, NY, starting work at a small aircraft manufacturing company. He went on to work for General Electric in Johnson City, NY. Max eventually joined Prudential Insurance Company as an agent in 1962. During his 34 years with Prudential, he was an agent, sales manager, training consultant, district manager, and general manager. He earned many professional certifications including Fellow Life Underwriter Training Council (LUTCF), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI). During their time in Bonita Springs and Estero, FL, Max and Pinky traveled to every state in the U.S. and to several foreign countries. They enjoyed the many friends they made while playing golf, bowling, and doing volunteer work. In addition to his wife, Max is survived by his daughters, Tammy Mitchley (Darma) and Wendy Erickson (Arthur), his three grandsons, Jonathan (Ashley) Erickson, AJ Erickson, and Brian (Olivia) Erickson, and his great-grandson, Augusto “Augie” Erickson.

Friends are invited to visit with Max’s family on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT. A funeral service with Military Honors celebrating his life will follow at 11:30 a.m. For anyone unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed here: Max Mitchley Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Max’s memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908. For online condolences, please see his obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.