Michael Richard Ratz of Feasterville died peacefully on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at Richboro Care Center, Richboro. He was 76.

Born in Philadelphia, Michael was the beloved husband of 56 years of Mary Caroline Lockwood Ratz and the son of Helen Kaczmarek Ratz and the late Michael Ratz.

Michael was a resident of Feasterville for the past 29 years and was a parishioner of St. Christopher Church in Somerton. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Philadelphia, and was an automotive transmission specialist and a teacher at Lincoln Technical Institute during the 1960’s. Michael invented the Automatic Transmission Malfunction Simulator, a teaching tool used by AAMCO Transmissions Incorporated, which was featured in the November 1969 issue of Popular Science Magazine. Michael and his family moved to Texas in the early 70’s. He had an automotive transmission shop in Houston, Texas, for about 10 years.

In addition to his beloved wife, Caroline, Michael is survived by his 7 children and their spouses: Carol Anne Bannon and husband George; Michael R. Ratz, Jr. and wife Shawna; John E. Ratz; David B. Ratz; Donna L. Brito and husband Ronald Rodriguez; Steven C. Ratz and fiancé Tracy Everly; and Michelle J. Boyd and husband John. Also surviving are his mother Helen Ratz, sister Sandra H. Bottner and husband Charles, as well as 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Michael’s family will receive condolences on Thursday, November 29, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. until his Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 13301 Proctor Road, Phila., PA 19116. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 or Women’s Humane Society, 3839 Richlieu Road, Bensalem, PA 19020.