Michael “Mikey” Rodman Sestrich

Michael “Mikey” Rodman Sestrich, 27, died on July 29, 2016, at his home in Arlington, VA surrounded by those closest to him. His death concludes a four-month battle with diffuse stomach cancer, an insidious disease for which there is no cure.The second son of Joseph and Margaret Peg Sestrich, Michael was born June 23, 1989 in Concord, MA and raised in Acton, Massachusetts with brothers J.J., 29, and David, 24. A 2007 graduate of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. Michael married his high school sweetheart, Clara Kollm, 27, on December 13, 2014 after nine years together in a celebration at Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA. Michael and Clara graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2011, where he earned dual bachelor of science degrees in Accounting and Finance as well as business honors. Following their graduation, the couple resided in Washington, DC with their cockapoo, Billie, where Michael worked as a corporate tax accountant for PWC and local start-up & Pizza. A strong athlete, Michael played squash, soccer, and 3×3 basketball and, though often handling the competition with ease, he was described by teammates as the kind of player who made them better both on and off the court. Above all, Michael was a beloved husband, son, brother and friend. Quick with a joke, a slice of pizza, and always first on the dance floor, he was considered among the most selfless of men by all who knew him. His outlook on life and unwavering dedication embodied so many qualities for which we all ought to strive. Even during the most challenging months of his illness, his spirit and smile never waivered. Michael is survived by his wife Clara Kollm; his parents Joe Sestrich and Peg Burr Sestrich, brothers Joseph “JJ” Sestrich Gina Osterholt, and David Sestrich, as well as his grandmother Joan Robitaille Burr; uncles and aunts Mark Burr Marek Masar, Jeffery Burr, Christine Burr, Marguerite Sestrich Beatty, Fran Sestrich Lowman Samuel Lowman; cousins Keith Lowman Cindy Kennedy Lowman, Jim Lowman Carole Bernhard Lowman, Ken Lowman, Aliza Burr, Andreas Burr, and Thomas Burr; and in-laws David Kollm, Carol Heben Kollm, and Peter Kollm. A public viewing will be held at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2016. An informal ceremony open to all will be held outdoors on Sunday, August 7 at 1:30 pm at the P Street Beach, at 23rd and O Streets NW, Washington, DC, 20036. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood, as transfusions were an integral part of his care, or to the following organizations close to his heart: Squashbusters, 795 Columbus Ave, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120 or Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.