The Penn Traffic employees and management were shocked and saddened by the death of Michael Satterlee on May 22, 1996.

Mike was well known in all of the Penn Traffic divisions for his work in training the distribution center supervisors in the use of warehouse database and invoicing systems.

 Mike started his career in the markets, moved to the general merchandise warehouse, instore systems, and the perishable distribution center. He was highly respected by the market owners and managers for his very strong commitment to customer service.

 In 1995, Mike transferred to the Big Bear division to assist with the start-up and operation of the new non-foods distribution center.

 The following comments from his co­workers, friends and family give some insight into the depth of his character, moral values and generosity

“I was very ill and a single mother abandoned by my parents and the father of my child. I had nothing to eat and nothing for my baby. Mike left bags of food, baby formula and diapers on my doorstep. I did not even know him."

“I could not make the minimum picking goals for my job. My supervisor was ready to fire me. Mike showed me how to read the reports and how to organize myself. He stopped by every hour to be sure that I was on track and to show me additional short cuts. I would not have a job today if Mike had not taken the extra time.”

“I lost my brother when I was fourteen. He was very special also. He and Mike had many things in common —being close to God, living a good life, always knowing what to say, and oh, what a sense of humor. I normally don’t allow people to get close, but Mike snuck in there and got a hold of my heart. Not just mine, but most of us in the warehouse. We all loved him and just wanted you to know"

“My teenage son was giving me a lot of problems. I was so frustrated. Mike asked me to introduce him to my son. He took him to some ball games and to the zoo. Mike’s influence and example of Christian living have really made a difference in my son and in our family.”

“A car intentionally hit my garbage bag and spread garbage onto the sidewalk and into the street during a pouring rain. I was very ill and recovering from surgery. I was about to burst into tears of frustration since there was no way I could pick up the garbage. Suddenly, there was Mike out in the rain picking up my garbage. I didn’t even know his name."

"We live 20 miles out of town. When it would snow, Mike would stop where we work and insist that we stay at his house. He would cook for us and entertain us. He always gave us his bed and slept on the sofa.”

“I worked on a lot of projects with Mike. He never said a bad word about anyone. If someone was falling behind on their assignment, Mike would always help them catch up.”

“Our service club had a big all-day event scheduled. We were expecting a large number of people to feed. Only a few people showed up to help with the food preparation. We didn’t know what to do. Mike showed up unexpectedly. He cut vegetables, cooked, served, and made us all laugh all day long. He even washed all of the pans and scrubbed the floor before he left.”

“Mike taught me how to drive the fire truck and took me to my first working fire where a boy died in our arms. Mike got me through it. He was always my hero.” 

“I won a trip to Washington, D.C. when I was ten. My big brother Mike offered to walk up town with me to get the things I needed since the four-lane highway was very dangerous to cross. As I walked ahead of Mike along the road, a large house trailer broke loose from the truck towing it. I was frozen in fear as it headed right towards me. Mike ran into the path of the trailer and pulled me away. The side of the trailer brushed Mike’s shirt as it went by. He saved my life with no thought for his own safety! When our parents told Mike how proud they were of him for his bravery, he said, ‘He’s my little brother. What else could I have done?” 

“I was having financial problems that my wife could not understand.  It caused problems between us and I thought we might split up.  I gave Mike an envelope with money in to keep so my wife would not spend it.  After a while, we worked things out and I asked Mike to return the envelope.  The next day, Mike approached me at work and gave me the envelope.  When I opened it I found one hundred dollars more than I had given to him.  When I tried to give the money back to Mike, he told me that he knew we were having a hard time with our finances and he thought the extra money might help us save our marriage.  He refused to take it back. My wife and I are still together today." 

“I had seen Mike and made small talk with him at work. I thought I knew him. One night when we were opening a new store, he came into the restaurant where we were and ate with us. I was amazed at what a great sense of humor he had, his depth of knowledge on many subjects, and what a terrific person he was. I was embarrassed that l had not discovered this sooner.” 

"My husband and I had just divorced.  As the mother of seven small children I was overwhelmed both financially and emotionally as I began working at the company where Mike worked.  Mike made me laugh and helped me learn my new job duties.  When I would leave work, I would find bags of groceries and little toys for my kids in the back seat of my car.  Mike always denied that he had anything to do with it, but I knew better.  As we prepared for a very meager Christmas at our home, the door bell rang and in walked Santa Claus.  He had a big red bag full of food, candy and gifts for every one of my seven children, and even a gift for me.  At work, I thanked Mike for doing what he did.  He denied that he knew anything about it.  After Mike died, I told his father about this and told him I knew Mike had sent Santa Claus.  His Dad told me that Mike did not send Santa, Mike had a Santa suit and had done the same, at his own expense, for many people in similar situations.  Mike was the real Santa Claus!” 

"As Mike's boyhood Priest, I prayed that this fine alterboy would become a Priest.  I continued to pray to that end even after Mike moved away.  Now I realize that Mike touched and influenced more people, as the man he was, than any Priest could."

“He came to us at a time when we needed someone who could take charge of the night shift of our new facility. This person had to be not only well-versed in the operating system, but also someone who could train the many newly hired employ­ees with little or no previous experience. Mike was more than anyone could have hoped for. He brought with him not only superior leadership, but also a magnificent ability to communicate. In his short time here, he became a true friend to many of us.  On behalf of all of us here at Big Bear, our sincere thank you for providing the home environment that developed Mike into the ‘Special Person’ he was. We will find someone to fill his position, but we will never be able to replace him.” 

 Michael was truly a “Special Person” who treated everyone as a “little brother”. His kindness touched and changed many lives for the better. The world is a better place for his having been here, and we are better people for having known him.