Michael Tanner

Lagrangeville - Michael "The Grizz" Tanner sadly passed away on April 4, 2024. He was 60 years old.
Michael was born on January 4, 1964, the son of Joseph and Doris (Thomson) Tanner.
He was a Poughquag boy through and through. He loved nothing more than exploring the countryside hunting and fishing alongside his childhood friends.
Michael was a graduate of Arlington High School, Dutchess Community College, and received his bachelor's of science in business management from Pace University. No matter the job, Mike worked hard and prided himself on having a positive impact on everyone he met. He wore many different hats; from carpenter, to window and siding installation manager, to fire insurance adjuster. In 2014, he landed a job as a Project Manager at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY. Working beside great friends, he felt he could put his knowledge to use to help create a better future for many students. He was so proud to work there and loved watching his projects come to life.
Michael leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Sandra Fraleigh. The two met while working in Millbrook, NY, and later realized that they both played softball for the same Shamrock Pub in Poughquag. Over the next 5 years, their relationship grew alongside their friends until they got married on September 18th, 1993. With the help of many friends, Michael built his forever home in Lagrangeville where they raised three amazing children, Jarett, Darien, and Braden whom he was so proud of.
As an avid sportsman, Michael loved playing baseball and eventually transitioned to softball, making a name for himself in several local leagues which led to his induction to the Dutchess County Softball Hall of Fame. He loved to coach, expressing his passion for sports not only with his children but countless others in the Town of LaGrange and Beekman. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, clay shooting, and woodworking. He was a dedicated NY Mets, Giants, and UNC basketball fan, always along for the season good or bad. If not proudly wearing his Iona gear, you'd find him in a team hoodie, camos, crocs, and a baseball cap. He was a guy's guy and was loved by so many. Above all, Michael loved spending time with his family and was happy to be surrounded by his nieces and nephews. He loved the South especially family vacations in the Outer Banks of NC and hoping someday to eventually retire south to hang by the pool and golf.
Always with some quick wit or a sarcastic comment, he constantly made us laugh. Going out of his way to fill a simple conversation with laughs and smiles. Throughout his life, he built an amazing group of friends, many from his childhood which he is still as close with today. His friends were his family and whether it was playing softball or camping he took every opportunity to get together with his lifelong pals. They say the people you keep around say a lot about your character and Mike was a character, to say the least. He was proud and passionate and lived every day to the fullest. He instilled the importance of family, friends, and doing what was right. He was our hero and he will sincerely be missed.
Michael is survived by his loving Mother Doris Tanner, his sister Leslie Battistoni and her husband Brian, in-laws Sue Rea, Brian Fraleigh, and Jeff Fraleigh along with 8 nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Michael is pre-deceased by his father Joseph R. Tanner, and his mother and father-in-law, Kathleen and Richard Fraleigh.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 5– 8 PM at McHoul Funeral Home Inc. 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 11 AM. Interment to follow at the Beekman Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the Richard B. Fraleigh Scholarship Fund at Arlington High School. Checks can be mailed to AEF, 144 Todd Hill Road, Lagrangeville, NY 12540 in memory of Mike Tanner.