Michael B. Idoine

Wendell, MA – In the early morning hours of September 13, 2025, Michael Burbank Idoine, 81, died at home in the arms of his wife of 60 years.

Michael’s life began on October 10, 1943, as the first-born child of Jane Elizabeth (Burbank) and Leon Sumner Idoine in Toledo, OH. In his first five years, three more siblings joined him. Soon, they boarded a train for Frederick, MD where Michael spent his formative years.

Michael discovered early that he did not like school, though he went on to earn a MS in Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts in 1993. He entered Drexel Institute of Technology in 1961, where he learned to read, inspired by a Faulkner novel. The following year he transferred to Western Maryland College and completed a BA in Psychology. It was a time of ferment and in the interest of creating a more equitable campus culture Michael worked with students and faculty to advocate for the abolishment of fraternities.

He honed his writing skills, which he employed in support of peace and community building, conservation of working landscapes, recognition of women’s voices, and for poetry. Among friends, colleagues and family his quiet, thoughtful speech often persuaded and surprised. Surprises came in the form of dry, spot-on quips as well as in his perceptive expression of closely considered ideas. He transformed his persistent idealism into productive work.

With his family, now including toddler twins, he moved to Wendell in 1971 with the intention of staying, making a life and serving among its inhabitants. During his 54 years in Wendell, he served as Town Meeting Moderator, Selectboard and Finance Committee member, among other roles. A preference for behind-the scenes instigating and coalition-building led him to co-coordinate activities of the Valley Peace Center in Amherst in the early 1970’s followed by the Wendell Concerned Citizens and the Route 2 Environmental Coalition in the 1980’s. His role in designing the Low-Profile Alignment as an alternative to constructing a new highway (Route 2) on the south bank of the Millers River in Erving, MA resulted in the protection of Bear Mountain in the Wendell State Forest.

Family life with Michael was highlighted with his love of music - both playing his guitar and listening to his extensive record collection - creating delicious stirfried dinners, venturing into homeschooling with his kids and quacking at their early teen ebullient energy. Various earnest efforts earned his signature praise word “tolerable”. After all, he was the serious dad! Despite his reserved demeanor, he reveled in the hubbub of life among family, friends and neighbors. He last opened his eyes to see his 15-month-old great-grandchild.

In June of 1972 he peered down from a little airplane and saw a red tractor plowing a field. That led to his 53-year journey tending to the care and conservation of that land, Swallow Rise - a collaborative effort among friends and family. His goal, fulfilled in 2021 by the Swallow Rise Conservation Development plan, was to provide an affordable place for people to live, sustained in harmony with the fields and forest. His abiding interest was to create home on this land.

At the age of 51, he finally realized his dream of owning a sawmill. For several decades he trailered his bandsaw mill to sites where folks - with a pile of logs harvested from their land - wanted beams, joists and boards to build barns, additions and houses. The work satisfied him immensely. As with all his work, he approached the task at hand with creative thinking, commitment and integrity.

His parents, brother Christopher, and sister Kathleen pre-deceased him. Josef Idoine (Barbara) his youngest brother, lives in Seattle. His friend, partner and wife of 60 years, Karen Idoine, and daughter, Gillian Budine and husband Jeffrey, son, Justin Idoine-Hu and wife Hui, along with grandchildren Aaron Budine (Talia), Emma Budine (Cole), Mattie Budine (Jordan) and great-grandchildren Bradley Remillard, Charleigh Budine, Nora and Miles Goyette, and six nephews remain to flourish in their lives.

Michael’s family extends deep gratitude to friends, extended family, the kind medical professionals and those from Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care who visited with and cared for Michael in his last months.

Interment at Swallow Rise in Wendell will be private.

Donations in Michael’s memory can be made to the Wendell Historical Society, online at www.wendellhistoricalsociety.org, or by check to Wendell Historical Society, Box 941, Wendell, MA 01379.