Michael Patrick Gerrish

Michael Patrick Gerrish, of Granby CT, passed away on Tuesday July 11, 2017, in one of his favorite places in the world, Alaska. Mike was celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary with Risa in Alaska and died there three days short of his 55th birthday. Mike was born to parents Barbara Ann Bureau (Duncan) and Richard Darwin Gerrish on July 14, 1962, in Manchester, NH. Mike was a die-hard New England Patriots fan since about age 10, or as Mike would say, "when nobody else was a fan because they couldn't win a game." Mike sported a tattoo of the "old school" Patriots logo and when a question of who was a bigger Pats fan came up, Mike was quick to flash the tattoo and settle the matter. Mike was a dedicated employee of Dion Label Printing of Westfield, MA, for over 20 years where he had many dear friends. Mike is survived by his wife Risa Alice Gerrish (Strickland), his daughters Jessica Gerrish and Meghan Gerrish, and his step-son Charles Hoberman and step-daughter Lilia Hoberman. Mike is survived by the following family members in NH: brother Richard and sister-in-law Beverly Gerrish and their sons Sean and Brandon; sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Joseph Azotea and their daughter Molly; brother William Gerrish and his son Billy; brother Daniel Mercier; sister Dawn and brother-in-law John Coskren and their children Melissa and Joey; his cousin and good friend Matthew Bailey and beloved aunts, uncles and great-nephews and great-nieces. Risa invites family and friends to celebrate Mike's life from 3-6 pm on Sunday, July 23, at The Cambridge House, 357 Salmon Brook St., Granby, CT. An additional celebration will be held in NH at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's memory may be made to the Our Community Food Pantry, Inc, 220 College Highway , Southwick MA 01077.