Soon after graduating, Michael moved to New Brunswick, NJ and started his career in manufacturing for Johnson & Johnson. After over ten years of service with J&J, he advanced on to become Director of Logistics, North America for Castrol Petroleum Company.  Commuting an hour each direction working ten hours a day, Dad told his young children, "I make sure when people go to the store, Castrol Oil is on the shelf."  An avid sports fan, Michael enjoyed the perks from the trucking companies bringing his family and friends to sporting events.  He would even get them to sponsor uniforms or championship jackets for his kid's sports team!  After almost fifteen years with Castrol, Michael went to work for Revlon and the family moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1998.  Retiring in 2003 in his late fifties, Michael then took care of his father, Landis Todd Whiteside (2004) and then his mother, Nettie Mae Taylor (2008).

Michael took pride in all his work.  He loved to work in his yard, weather it was adding some sand to level his pavers, pulling weeds in the beds, trimming his various plants, cutting the grass, or just assisting his neighbor… He was not wasteful, and always got 3 estimates.  However, if possible, and if one of his sons or grandson as he got older was around, he would do it himself.  It would never be done wrong, but might take 4-5 trips to the hardware store.  Michael loved to travel.  Although, a stamp on the passport was nice, he enjoyed driving to his family reunions and trips to visit his family the most.  He always had an open ear and made time for his friends and family, but he was not the social animal.  He loved wood and handpicked each piece of furniture and electronic device in his home.  Most of all, he loved being a Grandpa.

The son of the late Landis Todd Whiteside and Nettie Wolfe Taylor, Michael is survived by his wife, Sherri Lynn Whiteside; children, Gabrielle Whiteside Gotch (Arnold), Jason Michael Whiteside, and Reginald Benjamin Whiteside; grandchildren, Genesis Espino, Elijah Michael Whiteside, Miracle Lynn Whiteside, Hailey Gotch, Hayden Gotch, and Harley Gotch; brother, Reginald Scott Whiteside; aunts, Juanita Miller and Dianne Henderson; mother-in-law, Dolores Falls; devoted nieces, Denise and Amberly Boyd; a number of other nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and family.