Michael S. Bilson

MANCHESTER - Michael Steven Bilson, beloved son, brother, and friend, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly due to natural causes on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in his home in Manchester.

Born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital on May 7, 1961, to the late Lt. Col. John G. Bilson and Sumiko (Sue) Ariumi Bilson, Michael was the youngest of two children. He was predeceased by his father, and is survived by his mother; his sister, Gloria Nagel; brother-in-law, Richard J. Nagel Jr.; his nephews, Michael and Brian Nagel; and a niece, Jenna-marie Nagel.

Michael grew up in Hampton and was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy. He attended Colby College and graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in Latin and economics, magna cum laude.

A lifelong resident of New Hampshire, Michael devoted himself to a career at the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services. He lived a life committed to serving others at various consumer affairs groups statewide. Michael worked for many years at the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, Bureau of Behavioral Health, Department of Health and Human Services, as a program planner. He was a member of the N.H. State Behavioral Health Advisory Council, Consumer Council, the Project Advisory Board for the Mental Health Consumer Survey Project, and many additional advisory committees. Michael's passion was research, and he provided extensive informational support to the state's network of Peer Support Agencies and the many individuals throughout the state who were struggling with mental health challenges.

In this work, he inspired others to live as he did, to overcome the difficulties of life by seeking to live more purposefully and with great compassion. Michael persevered through trials with humility, grace, a quiet strength, and a commitment to peace and justice his whole life. Even his hobbies reflected these interests. He read voraciously, researching and supporting causes such as honoring survivors of the Holocaust victims of World War II, defending the rights of mental health patients, and fighting for suicide prevention. He lived a quiet, selfless life that touched many other lives and his loss is deeply felt by his family and those he served statewide.

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services: Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main St., Concord. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Waters Funeral Home.

Burial will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Longmeadow Cemetery in Auburn.