Michael Bernard Relyea

Michael Bernard Relyea of Meriden, beloved father, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the age of 66. He was born on July 23, 1958, in Cobleskill, NY, the son of Marilyn Peters Relyea and Ambrose E. Relyea.
He grew up in Esperance, NY. In his youth, he was close with his sisters and well-liked by his classmates. He was athletic and enjoyed baseball and track and field. Hard work and dedication were an integral part of his character and he worked a lot, even as a young person. Some of the jobs he held in his youth included mending fences, working on a horse farm, working at a boat shop, and working as a chef.
After high school, Michael earned his associate's degree from Hudson Community College. He began his career as an electrical engineer at NorthEast Utilities. From there, he went on to work at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant until it was acquired by Dominion Energy. He retired as a Senior Nuclear Designer from Dominion in July of 2023 after 43 years of service. He had a gift for understanding how the world works, and this, in tandem with his curiosity and competency, made him the "go-to" guy for troubleshooting and problem-solving. He always derived a lot of satisfaction from a job well done and he loved working on the rapid response team.
Outside of work, Michael was an outdoor enthusiast and loved hiking, taking walks, fishing, gardening, cycling, and observing nature's beauty. He also enjoyed the time he spent working on home improvements and learning the new skills and concepts he picked up through the process. Ever observant and curious, he was a true lifelong learner. He also enjoyed a wide range of music. Finally, he loved spending time with his children and granddaughter. He was a generous and kind father and grandfather.
He is survived by his children, Benjamin Relyea, Julie Relyea, and Emily Relyea; his granddaughter, Adeline Northrop; and his sister, Suzanne Dorries.
Michael's family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., on Saturday, November 2nd from 9:00 – 10:00am. A funeral service will begin at 10:00am. Interment in Maple Cemetery, Worthington Ridge Road, Berlin, will follow. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Connecticut Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife.
www.wallingfordfh.com