Michael Burbank Idoine

Last time I saw and spoke with Michael was at a Garlic Festival. He was there with his sawmill. Had a quiet conversation.
He was one of the good guys...
Condolences to his family and friends.

I shed tears and got choked up reading this beautifully written and very personal obituary over the phone to a friend who, like me, was not aware of this sad news until today. This friend and I both knew Michael for half a century, sharing many aspects of our lives here in the North Quabbin Region that includes both Wendell and my town of Royalston. Local institutions that brought me and Michael together included the Our Daily Bread Food Coop, the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, and perhaps most intensely, the Route 2 Environmental Coalition, plus, more recently, a battle over a proposed dam removal in Wendell. I always enjoyed collaborating with Michael as an activist and/or a journalist, and I extend sympathy wishes to Karen and family and friends.

Michael was my first new friend when I moved to Wendell. I will always cherish the memories. Rest in Peace my friend.

Michael was a soft spoken, honest and intelligent man whose commitment to family and community never wavered. Wendell has lost a Pillar.

Always ready for a BBQ, rain or shine

Joyce and I met Michael & Karen in 1966 in Amherst. Joyce and Michael were the first co-directors of the Valley Peace Center. Our families have been connected ever since. Michael gave so much to support our family & our gatherings and was always there for us! We joined Swallow Rise with the intention of eventually building there, but an unexpected move to Burlington, VT changed or path. Many of our family celebrations have taken place on the farm including wedding and birthday celebrations. Michael was always there providing his support and often heading up the BBQ team. I did get to visit recently and admired his determination to tough it through. Gilli and Karen were there all the way for him.

Michael taught me that the definition of "citizen" is to be a participatory member of their community. He impressed on me the meaning of "Think globally, act locally". I witnessed his "behind-the-scenes instigating" several times when he would call to invite me to sign up, or get my suggestions for empty Committee positions. I´m sure he made many of those calls throughout town. To me, Michael was Wendell´s own Wendell Berry, a man who lived his values, supporting all things local, care of home and homestead, Wendell farmers, being a conscientious citizen, and, as has been mentioned, poetry too!
Thank you, Michael, for a lifetime of steady, skilled, and committed work on behalf of your town, the state, your neighbors, the land, and your family. Your light shines bright.

He made his mark....for the good. We shared a deep interest in community and local government and I was honored to be a colleague and a friend. Thank you Karen, Gillian, Justin, and connected community of Wendell for sharing him with the rest of us. May his memory be for a blessing.

Serving as your forester for a time was a great priviledge; thank you for trusting me to share in caring for the land you love. I will miss Michael. With love and care to Karen and the whole family.
Audrey Barker Plotkin

The pleasure was mine.
Blessings on the journey.

Thank you for all the memories, photos and stories. -Gilli

Michael,
May your spirit rise above all that you loved and cared about to
continue A well loved journey. You will be missed by many.


Much love and prayers to your loving family and friends. Thank you .


Sincerely,
RAEANN MAYNARD
Locke Hill Rd. 45 yrs.

Michael introduced me to serving on Town government in a way
that is indelible printed on my heart. His valor and consciousness was so amazing. He helped me to understand service of the highest order. I am sure he is probably on some sort of angel committee to do wonders. Thank you Michael. Shay Whitman Cooper

My condolences to Karen and family.
I admired and respected Michael's dedication to community.

Wendell has losg yet another piece of history. My deep condolences ....

The kitchen and dining room in the Parsonage are from red oak and ash that Michael sawed for us. I had the pleasure of helping him with the milling job and learned much. It was hard hard work that
Michael clearly loved doing. In the last few years on his way back from food shopping in Orange, Michael would stop by the Depot to sit and chat with me on the porch. Dear, dear memories of time spent with a great man. Sheila and I extend our love to Karen and the entire family.

Dear Karen , Gillian and Justine - it is with deep sorrow that we learned of Michael's death. He was a towering figure in the Town of Wendell as well as a deep thinker, passionate advocate for the causes he believed in and a loyal and steadfast friend. Although we did not spend a lot of time together, he was someone we always enjoyed ,admired and respected. I'll never forget the kindness that he and Karen showed me when I first came to town as a single parent who didn't really know anyone. Steve and I are so sorry for you loss, and indeed all of our loss. He will be greatly missed. All our best to all of you - Steve and Diane

Occasionally Michael sent me short poems, which I always enjoyed. Several of them are attached to my refrigerator. I'll miss those and so many other facets of his personality.

Michael sawed many of the boards and beams for the rebuilding of our barn, and the work was beautiful, as these photos showed. He also was instrumental in the success of the effort to protect Wendell State Forest from Rt. 2, and the third photo shows a group of state engineers and officials examining the Low Profile Alignment he wisely put a lot of effort into designing. His record of achieving what he set out to accomplish amazed me. He was not only a rather awesome figure; he had a wonderful warmth beneath all his qualities.

Michael sawed many of the boards and beams for the barn that we rebuilt on our property.

60 Years the Love of my Mother and Father - Dad you are deeply missed.
Your Wisdom and knowledge will live on in the home you created by living an extraordinary life here with your family in Wendell the town you loved and called home