Law enforcement professional was a lifetime sports enthusiast, family man and avid golfer Gregory Stuart “Mitch” Mitchell, 70, of Essex Junction, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024, at McClure Miller Respite House following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 19, 1954, in Colchester, son of the late Everett and Gwendolyn (Cheney) Mitchell. Mitch grew up in South Burlington, graduating from South Burlington High School in 1972 — a simple life filled with Patrick Street neighborhood fun such as stickball in the street, made-up games in the backyard and perfecting the fadeaway jumper in basketball — due to many blocked shots in his face from older and taller kids and siblings. Once Mitch had his two sons, he could be the shot blocker, and they, too, learned the fadeaway! Mitch was always a sports enthusiast and loved playing most any sport. Basketball and baseball were passions growing up and during his school years and later in many adult leagues. Soccer began his senior year in high school, and amazingly he earned a soccer scholarship after just playing the one year. He married the love of his life, the former Kate Willey, in 1988. Mitch’s college journey was filled with sports scholarships. He attended the University of Tampa with a full baseball scholarship and Champlain College with a soccer scholarship, graduating with an associate’s degree in business administration. Mitch also attended North Adams State College, where he played soccer, and then finished up his degree with a BS in business admin at Trinity College in 1986, taking a leave of absence from work to finish his degree. His extensive career began in 1976 when he began working in law enforcement with the Winooski Police Department. From there he went to the Burlington International Airport Police, and then joined the South Burlington Police Department from 1977 to 1991, where he rose to the position of BCI commander (Bureau of Criminal Investigations). Mitch was a qualified expert in homicide/suicide investigations. In 1991 Mitch took his police skills to the banking industry as director of security for Bank of Boston. He continued in the security role with KeyBank and then TD Bank through 2008, when he took an early retirement. He was one of three financial intelligence leaders for KeyBank USA in Cleveland, Ohio, heading the Terrorist Financing & Anti-Money Laundering Unit. Mitch took up golf in the ’90s, and it quickly became his favorite activity. When he joined Burlington Country Club…