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Michael Rose Obituary
Raised in Cambridge, then in Reading, MA, he graduated from Reading Memorial High School. He went on to earn a B.S. degree from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Penn State. In 1991 he moved to Copenhagen where he lived for 34 years.
At the Technical University of Denmark, Michael taught and conducted research on high speed trains and smart home technology. He later transitioned to computer game and sound design, which integrated his creative and technical skills.
Music was a central thread throughout Michael's life. He was an accomplished pianist who also composed music in the Celtic style with Latin and jazz influences. He performed with musicians from around the world, including American, Irish, and Danish artists. His collaborations included The Barolk Folk, Fromseier Rose, Athena Tergis, and many other musicians. He performed at festivals across Denmark, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In retirement, he developed music for use in the computer game "Shrug Island", and for computer-generated short films. He also encouraged and mentored several young musicians.
Michael leaves many close friends in Copenhagen, including within the Irish ex-pat community. A Celebration of Life was held in Copenhagen in April.
He is survived by his loving sisters Deborah Amato and her husband Kenneth; Pamela Rose; and Jeannine Hardy. He was a beloved uncle to Joseph Amato (Kim), Eric Amato (Angela), Camille Griffin (Matthew), Carabeth Connolly (Johannes), Daniel Connolly (Vidhya), Patrick Connolly, Adam Hardy (Meriam), Amanda Hardy, and Ian Hardy, as well as nine great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Anthony and Beatrice (Monteiro) Rose.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 570 North Ave, Wakefield, MA, 01880, on Saturday, June 14 at 12:00 noon. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael's name may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org, or by mail to their Donation Processing Center, PO Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950-0041.
19 Entries
Jens Th
June 12, 2025
Goodbye my friend
Carolyn Goodwin
June 11, 2025
A lovely man who always supported my work as a musician in Copenhagen. Gentle and thoughtful, may he rest in peace.
Rebecca Pruzan
June 10, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear of Michael´s passing. I met Michael when I was a student at ITU in Copenhagen. I will remember you as an extraordinary kind and warm person and I will miss your yearly greeting on my birthday - 20 years of greetings. I am sure you have touched many peoples lives with your kind and always interested personality. RIP
Gary Gunnulfsen
June 10, 2025
Mike was in many of my classes
Always a nice, happy guy
RIP Mike
How you can show support
Thomas Howalt
June 10, 2025
Yesterday I was told that Michael had passed. I knew Michael from many years collaboration on DADIU (Danish Academy of Digital Interactive Entertainment), where he was passionate and loyal colleague. We lived closed to each other and often met in the local shops. He had a mild and softspoken manner, a infectious laughter and a brilliant mind. I will surely miss him. My deepest condolences to the family. Kind regards Thomas
Leif Ernstsen
June 10, 2025
Michael, it was gift to have you here. Thanks!
Andy Connolly
June 10, 2025
Micheal, your intellect, creativity, musicality, friendship and very dry whit has made a mark on the world. May you be making music and be free from suffering.
Much sympathy to the family and friends over the loss.
francis x. edwards
June 9, 2025
Michael, I miss you. This is such a shock. I don't know what to say or feel. I am in a state of disbelief. Someone tell me this is not true. Oh you will be sorely missed. God bless you dear brother.
Ellen Chamberlain Groleau
June 9, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear of Michael´s passing. I remember him as a very talented and gentle and caring person. My condolences to all of his family.
Kjeld Schmidt
June 9, 2025
Michael an I worked together for several years and became friends. I admired his intellectual acuity and appreciated his kindness. His premature death is saddening.
Corrina Hewat
June 9, 2025
Michael was a lovely man, insightful and curious and kind. Condolences to his family.
Nicolai Porsbo
June 9, 2025
So, so sad to hear that Michael has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family and friends all over the world.
I worked with Michael around 1995-1997, where he patiently taught me to program cd-roms. Later we stayed in contact.
He was an exceptionally kind and gifted person that I have always felt very fortunate to have met.
May he rest in peace.
Anders Blauenfeldt
June 9, 2025
That was very sad news. Michael was my tutor at DTU back in the 1990s and due to a shared love of music we had a connection and followed eachother since then. Not a close connection per se, but one of those good old connections from "way back then" - very sad to learn he has passed away much too early. My condolences.
Birger Hauge
June 9, 2025
My deepest condolences. I had the pleasure of working with with Michael in the mid nineties in Young and Rubicam. Michael was a gentle and very bright colleague. To me he was the first professor I ever employed. We joked a lot about that. We have followed each other on social media ever since RIP
John
June 9, 2025
So sorry to hear of Michael's passing. He was very kind to me in Copenhagen in 2007 and 2008. May God rest him
John O'Regan
Alan Burke
June 9, 2025
I have just found out that Michael had passed. I´m so sorry to hear this sad news. I played at the Irish festival in Copenhagen many times, and always enjoyed meeting up and chatting with Michael. His deep understanding and love of music always shone through, and I would always enjoy hearing him playing piano during sessions or on stage.
I send my sincere condolences to all of his family and friends. Suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam. Maybe rest in peace.
Theresa McKenna
June 9, 2025
I´m very sad to hear of the passing of Michael. I met him briefly in Copenhagen a few years ago, he accompanied me on piano for an audition. He was an amazing musician and I always remember he was so very nice. Sincere condolences, to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Theresa McKenna (Ireland)
Brendan O Sullivan
June 9, 2025
My sincere condolences to all of Michael´s family . We have fond memories from my old Band Gráda of playing music and hanging out with Michael in Copenhagen particularly around the Irish Folk Festival,Rip
Christ the King Parish
June 6, 2025
Our parish offers prayers for Michael Rose. May he rest in eternal peace in God's Kingdom, and may all who mourn his loss be comforted during this time.
Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results
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