Michael R. Lutz

January 30, 1972 ~ June 3, 2024

Woodstock, NY

With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Michael Richard "Metal Mike" Lutz, a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. Michael was born in Nyack, NY, on January 30, 1972, to Michael C. Lutz and Carolann R. Arndt. He passed away on June 3, 2024, at his home in Woodstock, NY, after a sudden diagnosis of cancer. He was only 52 years of age. We remember him for his many achievements, his unique personality, and his unwavering love and support for his family and friends.
Michael played Pop Warner football and Little League baseball as a child and excelled in school. He was a fan of the NY Giants and Mets. In his young adulthood, Michael was a member of the US Armed Forces, serving in the Navy and the Air National Guard. While in the Navy, he traveled the world, including Australia, and spent time stationed in Guam. In 2012, he received an AAS Degree in Ornamental Horticulture: Landscape Development from SUNY Cobleskill. He had many talents and skills, including being an Iron Worker, landscaper, local and long haul truck and tractor-trailer driver, and most recently, a commercial driving instructor.
Michael loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking and taking in the beauty of his surroundings. Most weekends, you could find him somewhere off-trail in the woods. He could be found on his cherished Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he wasn't hiking. Unfortunately, in the Summer of 2022, he had a very serious accident that cut his riding days short. It was after this that we really saw his warrior spirit emerge. He had a deep passion for music, attended more concerts than we can count and his favorite band was Slayer. He supported many local bands and was the host of "Masters of the Riff with Metal Mike" on WXAX radio. When you showed up at Michael's front door, rest assured you would have to knock loud enough to be heard over the music. From a young age, he loved to play the drums, and after his motorcycle accident, he learned to play guitar and could pick it up quickly, even working on original riffs in only days. Michael loved to cook, was creative with different recipes, and had a very adventurous palette. He was interested in Vikings and Norse traditions; while he was not overly religious, he had very strong spiritual beliefs. His various interests gave him a vast and diverse knowledge of many things, guaranteeing he was always the smartest person in the room. He was undoubtedly self-confident but humble. Michael will be remembered for his long hair, awesome beard, living life by his rules, and most of all for being the kind, loving, and supportive son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend he was. Michael is survived by his parents and brothers Robert and his wife Melissa, Daniel, Brian; Matthew and his wife Jamie; Andrew and his fiancé Melissa and Nicholas; his beloved nieces and nephews, Kevin, Fredrick, Allison, Lana, Michael, Nathan, Angelina, Lily, Dominic, Lila, Victor, Ethan, and Miabella, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is predeceased by his grandparents, Frederick and Ruth Arndt, Annie Lutz, and sister-in-law, Donna Lutz.

Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home in Newburgh, NY on June 8, 2024 from 2-5 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.