IMichael "Mike" Freeman Cutter, a beloved native of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away on March 23, 2023, after a courageous eight-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Mike embodied the spirit of community and lived a life dedicated to service. He leaves a legacy of leadership, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to making Norfolk a better place for all who call it home.

Throughout his life, Mike made significant contributions to his community, through his work as a commercial real estate agent and as a Business Development Manager with the City of Norfolk Economic Development Department. His passion for bringing people together and reimagining how they connect in his hometown was a driving force in many development projects. Beyond his professional contributions, Mike dedicated countless hours to various boards and organizations to help fortify the arts, education, and other causes within Hampton Roads.

Mike was a gifted athlete from an early age and through college, which earned him accolades in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Into adulthood, he was also known to join a pickup volleyball game at the Mallory Country Club or make an afternoon of surfing in Virginia Beach look effortless. Many of us know all too well that the latter is not so simple.

He also shared his love of sports with his sons, Stanton and Archer, coaching them and their teammates with joyful dedication over 14 seasons. Coaching was not only a great highlight for Mike but also an immense gift that cemented his gratitude for today and his hope for tomorrow. This mindset buoyed Mike throughout his illness, and he coached up until two weeks before his passing.

Mike’s time spent playing sports is intrinsically connected to his legacy of leadership and stewardship which has left enduring waves of positivity in his wake. Being a teammate can have lifelong benefits for young people by teaching them invaluable skills like collaboration, accountability, dedication, and self-confidence. By removing barriers for youth in our community to play sports, we aim to contribute to an enduring legacy of leadership, and fun, among the next generations of Norfolk.

Mike's inimitable kindness, dedication, and love for his community lives on through his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched. We hope his legacy will also expand through Mike’s Hope, which is founded on and inspired by Mike’s internal hope that he held greatly in the face of his terminal illness, as well as his hope for a better Norfolk.