Joseph E. Michael Jr.

I just now learned of Mr. Michael's passing in May. I worked for him at his office in Rochester for 16 years before I moved out of state. I cherish my memories working with such a great group of people and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family. I will always remember his love for his law practice and compassion for his clients and what a kind and caring man he was. Still to this day, I remember so many of his comical "catchy one-liners" that were part of every day at the office with Mr. Michael.

I am grateful for the many moments in my own and all of our lives that were marked by Joe Michael's love, wisdom, wit, integrity, and courage. He was an excellent human being who impacted the minds and lives of thousands of students, faculty, and staff members at the University of New Hampshire and I was truly privileged to be one of those whose life he graced. My heart and prayers go out to the members of his wonderful family. I will cherish him forever.

Joseph Michael was both a good friend and an esteemed collegue. He had a keen with and love of life that made his presence a pleasure for all around him.

Our condolences to Judge Michael's family. We appreciated his kind professional legal services in 1973. We also have fond memories of high school and college days.

Dear Shirley,



Claire and I were deeply saddened by Joe’s passing. Joe made a difference in so many lives. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He was a wise and considerate judge, who respected the person, as well as the law. He was a wonderful teacher, who taught with the passion and knowledge to truly inspire and who changed the lives of his many students for the better. Over the fifty years he taught at the Whittemore School, he never tired, he embraced it with an enthusiasm and energy that was contagious to all. He was a model teacher.



I could always count on Joe’s wise counsel. He was a tremendous help to me personally. He helped Claire, and my sons Mike and Chris, in numerous ways. Whether it was in assisting the Mammals (the boys’ band) with their legal questions or making sure that my own legal affairs were in order, he guided us as a lawyer and as a true friend.



I will miss most his warm companionship, his wonderful sense of humor, our conversations at UNH men’s hockey games and lastly his "his keen eye for fashion" as I struggled putting on my rob at several MBA hoodings.



Claire and I will especially remember Joe as our family, like your’s, get together at the lake. In closing, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.



With deepest sympathy,



Mike and Claire Merenda

Joe, was a highly respected friend and inspirational teacher who was known to us for over 40 years, as a colleague in the Whittemore School and as an earnest participant in many community affairs. His invariable salutation to me was "Your lordship" with a comic bow. A deeper bow was due him for his integrity, loyalty, wisdom and good humor.

Shirley and family, we offer our sincerest sympathy

To the Michael Family: I had the honor of working for Joe at the Whittemore School. He always made me laugh and smile with his kinds words and great warmth. Joe was such a special man and will be missed very much.

I just wanted to send my condolences to Shirley and her family. I didn't know Joe but I know his wonderful wife Shirley. She is a truly generous and loving woman and I am saddened by her loss.



Cindy Farrell

I had the great privilege of serving on the board of directors at the Center for Constructive Change with Joe. His even temperament, superior analytical skills and great sense of humor made it a delight to come to the meeting. I always came early just for the opportunity to talk to my fellow directors and listen to their wisdom - Joe always lead with honor and humor. I will miss him.

Shirley and Family,

We were saddened to learn of Jo's passing. He will be well remembered for his advice and friendship. This was an individual who truly made a difference in so many lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I will miss my Uncle Joe tremendously. I am so very honored that the picture of him we all see here was from my wedding, which he officiated. He will always have a very special place in my heart - I loved him dearly and will always treasure the summer trips to Crystal Lake. My thoughts are with you, Shirley. Love you lots.

Mrs. Michael and family:

It was with great sorrow that I heard of the passing of Mr. Michael. He was always very kind to me during the years (and years) that I worked for him. I was very blessed to speak with him in April, as he joked with me about the billing. I will always remember his kind words and his generous nature. He was very kind to me, to my husband, Steve, and to my children. I will miss his smile and his little anecdotes. In the days when he was in the office at 40 Wakefield Street, it was not unusual to hear "send more money!"

We will miss him always!

Diane, Steve, Alison & Derek Cliche

Dear Shirley and family,

It is with great sadness that we write to offer our condolences at Joe's passing. He was a good friend to us, helping us in so many ways as we progressed through the trials of everyday life. He never refused to take our calls no matter how busy he was and that made us feel special. We think he made a great many people feel special. Thank you for sharing him with us and for letting us be a part of the MIchael family.

George & Maureen Abraham

Dear Michael Family,

All of us at the Durham District Court send our sincere condolences. Judge Michael will be sadly missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am very proud to have know Joe during the past five years as Dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. Joe was a pillar of this school, having taught for us for 50 years. And, he just kept getting better with every class he taught. Students were excited by the opportunity to participate in his classes. He was an outstanding contributor to the School and to the future of so many students whose lives he touched. His memory will last forever.

We remember our summer visits to Crystal Lake. Early mornings were generally Joe’s time to go out on the lake fishing and unwind from all of his office responsibilities. His only companions would be whichever of the children-- often his great-nieces or nephews--were that week’s honored guests, for you see, the “Whiting Girls” liked to sleep in late, and Joe enjoyed pampering them. We hope that our daughter Heather remembers how thrilling it was to be taken out by Uncle Joe in the boat and arrive back at the dock with her catch, to be memorialized, of course, by a photo taken by Aunt Shirley, who would often still be in her robe. Later in the day, the adults would wake up and drift into this special world. It was all just so golden. And you would feel so lucky to be part of it. Later the day would get so busy—swimming, water skiing with Joe at the wheel, of course. Then all those past-times from the pre-computer era. Cribbage was Joe’s forte and real love. And it was rare when anyone—-including his brother-in-law Everett--could best him. We will miss Uncle Joe, very, very much.



Arnold, Marlene, and Heather Adams

Joe touched our lives greatly! He truly will be missed. We wish Shirley and family our since condolences.

Shirley and family, I am glad that I am able to connect to this site and extend the Chapins'sympathies. Joe was an exceptional person and all of us were made better knowing him. His wisdom and humor touched and benefited both my parents and most of my siblings. Personally, I have passed on his fish on exhaust recommendation to many best men and will have the opportunity to implement it when the last Durham Chapin marries this summer.

Doug

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends in this time of sadness. The University and the State of New Hampshire are weakened by this great loss.

To the family we send our deepest sympathy.

Family,

Uncle Joe was an amazing soul and the kindest person. We are all poorer for having lost him but truly blessed to have had the chance to know him at all. He made you laugh at every turn and lifted you up even when you didn't know that you needed it. My prayers are with you all.

We have suffered a great loss in the death of Joseph E. Michael, Jr. From the day he joined our Board of Directors in 1989, Joe guided us straight and well, never letting us stray from our mission. We shall miss Joe’s humor and the depth of his experience. More than this, we have lost a constant friend.



May B. Gruber, Thomas E. Jackson, Janis W. Jervis, Walter R. Peterson, directors of The Center for Constructive Change, extend their deep sympathy to his family and his many friends.

Dear Shirley & Family, Joe was the best of the best, however, from reading the comments prior to mine, I find he used quite a few of the same comments on a lot of us. It did make me feel great, however, everytime I asked him how he was and he would reply, "Much better now that I see you". In over 40 years, we never had a disagreement in our business dealings, and he never failed to accomodate our needs. Bless you all, and know that he will be missed by many.

To Joe, who was a dedicated leader through out his lifetime.He shall always be remembered by me as a dedicated friend to all who knew him. I am pleased to say his wisdom and sound advise helped guide my life and the entire Stewart family in Rochester, N.H.

To Shirley and the family,I give my condolencesfor for your loss. To Joe's brother George Michael, a friend and mentor in the New Hampshire Auction Profession, I share your sorrow in the loss of your brother. My thoughts are with you all in this most trying time.

Shirley and family,



Joe was instrumental in getting me started in the law business. His advice and guidance are forever treasured.

My deepest sympathy to Shirley and the family. I have known Joe for almost 50 years and was always impressed with his wonderful sense of good humor, tempered always with the rectitude that made him such an excellent judge.

Joe was a wonderful friend to myself and to my parents, George and Isabelle Sawyer. Rest well, Joe. You've lived a remarkable life.

To Shirley & Family:



I remember Mr. Michael (Joe - he wanted us to call him) so well - I was one of his first Secretary's - 1951 - 53. I started working for him part-time afternoons after school during my high school years and then full time thereafter (with Charlotte Gaskell - his then full time Secretary). I left around Sept. '53 to attend business school. He often teased me that I should have stayed on with him instead of leaving home for school-he treated me so well and we got along perfectly in our work - He was a wonderful person to learn from during those first impressionable years - and a wonderful teacher. And, as he had indicated, I did miss working with him - and often thought - yes, I should have stayed. In future years I enjoyed visiting and chatting with him occasionally - when he would usually kid me about "leaving him". I am so sorry I will not see him again and to miss the chance to chat about the old days. Good bye, Joe - dear friend - maybe I'll see you again upstairs someday - where we can work together again. - Your most appreciative "first" Secretary - Lorraine

Our thoughts and prayers are with you - Members of the Durham Fire Department.

Somehow it's appropriate but incredibly sad that I read of Joe's death while on a business trip in Hawaii. Joe's support is one of the reasons my businesses have managed to succeed, despite all the obstacles. Joe was always one of my biggest supporters when I was starting Delahaye, and then again when I had to start all over again. He was a good friend to our family, managing in his inimitable way to bring together warring factions for a common goal. But my favorite image of Joe was on my wedding day, greeting me with his wonderful smile and making me feel calm in the midst of all the tumult -- and then hearing him tell the best man how to strap fish to the muffler of our getaway car. Whenever I asked him how he was, he would say "much better for seeing you." To paraphrase, I'm so much better for knowing him.

I was privileged to grow up in Durham during Joe's tenure as Town Moderator. The annual Town Meeting was always long and filled with debate, but Joe kept things moving in a positive direction, with an open mind, an even hand, and his classic Yankee sense of humor.



We only know a handful of people over the course of our lives, who hold an iconic status in our memory. Joe is one such, for me. God bless.

Dear Shirley and Family,

Judge Michael, one of my dearest friends and mentor, who married me to my dear Cindy in the living room of our home and who later married my daughter Jara and her husband Sean, holds a place in the hearts

of our family for those we truly loved. His memory will forever bring to mind the kindest thoughts and a cheery smile.

Being with Joe was a "one of a kind" learning experience. His warmth, his friendship and his knowledge were always there to share. We constantly use the things Joe taught us in our daily lives and treasure every one. Our sincere condolences to the entire Michael family.

Edna and I express our deepest sympathy to Shirley and their children. I met Joe in October, 1964 when I was elected President of Rochester First Federal Savings and Loan which later became Profile Bank, FSB in Rochester. We served together on the Board of Directors from November 2, 1964 until my retirement on January 16, 1991. I found him to be an outstanding Director, quick to criticize but equally quick to praise, perceptive in affairs pertaining to our bank and faithfull in his attendance at meetings of the Board.He once remarked "I am afraid to miss a meeting of the board as I might come back and find that was no longer a member". Since his abilities as a Director were without equal there was little danger of that hapening. We served together for over rwenty six years, not, always in agreement, but always with the best interests of "our" bank at foremost in our thoughts.

Dear Mrs. Michael, Jay and Chris,

I will miss the warm reception I always got from Mr. Michael whenever I saw him. After my Dad retired from St. Georges, I always felt so much more comfortable when the Michaels were in church - they knew how hard it was for me to be there without having to use words. A warm hug, and from the day I met Mr. Michael to the last time I saw him - always a complimentary "you get more beautiful every time I see you.", did wonders. I thank him for the support he has given me with my Dad being sick and always a listening ear if I needed someone to talk to. I will miss you and thank you for being so wonderful to the entire Snow family.

Lauri Snow Currier, Dick, Brooke and Lorne

On a wintery New Year's eve in 1983, Joe officiated at my wedding to Julius Williams. Joe's provided great counsel to our family over the years, too. We cherish his memory and send our deepest sympathy.



Ann & Julius

I was a choirboy with Joe at the Episcopal church in Rochester, N.H. and a long time friend. We will all miss him and his helpfulness over the years. God bless.!

Skip

To Squirrel, Chris and Jay: Joe was important to me in so many ways, and represented the best Durham had to offer its children. He will live on always in my heart. Love always, Ann

As a member of class of 1941, I will always remember the humor and joy of knowing Joe throuhout my lifetime. He was a very goodfriend. all through highschool and atreasure at all our reunions. My condolences to his family. Dottie

I was a student of Joe's back in 1983 and 1984. I took both of his undergraduate commercial law classes. I have never been able to bring myself to get rid of the textbook. He is, to this day, my favorite teacher.

I remember key things he taught us and I still quote him.

I always planned to poke my head in one Monday evening and sit in on the second half of his weekly class. I never did and will always regret it. He would have really gotten a kick out of it.

I was devastated to know that he is gone. I am so very sorry.

I wish he knew how much he meant to me.

I will always remember Joe when he use to come into my store and gave me advice whever I was in doubt about something. I will miss him.

To the family of Joe Michael,

My deepest sympathies to all of you for your loss. Joe was a lifetime friend to myself and my family members for many years as well as my grandfather's, my father's, and my attorney. He was a very special person and I will miss him dearly. I feel very fortunate to have known and loved him.



Fondly,

Shirley and Family: We were so sorry to hear of "Buddy Joe's" passing. We were so fortunate to have him marry us. That is a happy day we will always remember. Our thoughts are with you. Pam and John

Joe was one man I always respected.

Retired Police Sergeant, Durham