Retired Commander Michael L Makfinsky passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Silver Spring after a long hard fought battle with Cancer on Oct 31, 2026. He will be greatly missed.

He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1954 and grew up in Madrid, Spain as a Navy brat. He graduated from Torrejon High School, fell in love with Victoria before enlisting in the Navy and beginning his own lifelong military career. While serving his country he also earned multiple degrees from The Naval War College, University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University.

A proud veteran, Michael served 29 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of Commander before his retirement. He served with many different commands within Naval Security, Intelligence and Cryptology. He was a language expert and served as a Russian linguist performing intelligence and surveillance missions during the Cold War. He participated in the aftermath of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty serving with the On-Site Inspection Agency. His most cherished duty station was Rota, Spain where he started his own family with his loving wife Victoria. While serving our great nation he earned many medals. After his Naval career Michael went on to continue serving his country through private sector employment with the Defense Industrial Base that supports the ongoing mission of democracy and freedom around the globe.

Michael was proud to have done his duty upholding the tenants of our Constitution by fulfilling his oath to defend the freedoms and rights of mankind across the globe. He was a champion for democracy and basic human rights and became very passionate and outspoken about politics even serving as an election judge in several elections.

He was a great athlete and loved tennis and golf. While in the Navy he participated in a few Navy championships throughout Europe and the US. Later on, golf became his passion and he managed to play until the last few days of his life in spite of the painful cancer that had taken over.

Michael was a strong force and had a rich life. He is survived by his wife Victoria, 3 sons Ivan, Paul, and Dan, 8 grandchildren Michael, Logan, Orion, Jackson, James, Elliot, Quinn, Ada.

Family and friends are welcome to attend Michael's Memorial Service and Military Honors on Friday November 20th at 2:00pm at the Glenview Mansion, 603 Edmonston Drive Rockville MD, 20851. Interment will be held at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road Crownsville MD, 21032 on Thursday November 19th at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Michael Makfinsky’s name to ACLU at https://action.aclu.org/give/now or Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/