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Michael R. Gildersleeve

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Centereach High School Sharon High School Stony Brook University

Michael Gildersleeve Obituary

GILDERSLEEVE - Michael R.Gildersleeve, 48, a resident of Sharon, MA, died suddenly on March 19, 2011. Born at theMarine Corps Station in Iwakuni, Japan, he lived on Long Island for many years before relocating to Massachusetts in 1997. He was a 1980 graduate of Centereach High School and a 1984 graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Mike worked at Belmont Instrument Corporation in Billerica, MA as anEngineering Manager. Mike has been described as a "Quiet Giant", a man who worked quietly and effectively in the background. On his own initiative, he created and maintained a website dedicated to promoting the Sharon High School Track Program, sharoneaglestrack.com, widely acclaimed as the best HS sports website in the state. He loved the outdoors, especially backpacking, yet found his greatest joy in the time he spent with his children. In addition to his wife, Elizabeth O'Hara, Mike is survived by his two children, Sara Gildrsleeve and JamesGildersleeve. He was the only son of Miyoko Gildersleeve of Centereach, NY and the late Robert J. Gildersleeve. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday March 26th at the Unitarian Church of Sharon 4 No. Main St. Sharon, MA at 12:00 Noon to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours are omitted and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mike's memory to "SHS Track" c/oKathy Abdelahad, Sharon High School, 181 Pond Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Arrangements byFarley Funeral Home, Stoughton. Obituary and guestbook at www.farleyfh.com.

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Published by Newsday on Mar. 24, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Gildersleeve

Sponsored by Mike's family.

16 Entries

Mafalda Salvi

March 16, 2019

Condolences to his wife Elizabeth and children.

Melissa Salvi

May 21, 2013

I met some friends from Pall Corporation this weekend and so looked up Mike to see if I could find where his life had progressed. I could not believe it when I found an obituary. As it listed his mother and other details I knew I had found the right name but could not believe it. I knew him at Pall and would have lunch with him every day. He said I helped him through a tough time and wrote me a letter when he got engaged. I took a job in NJ and later MI and lost track of him.
He used to keep a log book of his car's mileage and maintenance which I adopted. He would write in it with a ruler.
He was a good listener and great athlete. At Pall he played basketball, softball, and tennis. I think he beat the president of the company. Ironically for lunch he would have a hot dog at the local stand. I worked at a desk next to him for 3 years. I still have my car log books from that time. A Chrysler LeBaron and I recorded every single tire that went on that thing and tank of gas. He would write in his car log book with the precision and attention as if it were a historical piece. He would often go to his car with no cost or jacket. The bosses would say are you not cold? Are you in training? He would smile and say "yes". I have great photos of him with a bat in his hands and a ball whipping off it. I have to find them. Rest in peace. Love to his family.

Jeff Chambers

April 29, 2011

It has taken a long time for me to express my condolences because I valued Mike as my friend and more than anything I respected him as a honerable and decent person beyond reproach. I started my career with Mike at Pall Corp. We shared a tiny dirty little office about as big as a closet. We got to know each other well! I spent years with Mike and he always appreciated my sense of humor and I always appreciated his honesty. By the way, Mike *did* have a great sense of humor! I will never forget him writing with that damn straight edge, I can see him doing it and it just plain makes me cry. After Pall he went to Mass. It turned out that I got a job in Mass. close by as well. We spent some time at the local microbrew pubs and did some skiing. I miss Mike. But he was good enough to live a life worthy of my memory and in this way he will continue to be a friend vivid in my memory. My sympathies to family. Later old boy...don't forget your straight edge so you can write to us some day. Your old friend.

Debra Maffucci - Milano

March 27, 2011

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael. May the memories of Michael live on forever.

Jim Moy

March 27, 2011

I am so sorry to hear the terrible news about Mike. We had attended the same college but I met Mike when we were both working at Pall Corporation in Glen Cove, NY. He moved on to MA and we never really kept in touch but I will remember Mike as a fierce competitor (we played racquetball during lunch)and a quiet, respectful man of many talents. My family and I wish our sincerest condolences to Elizabeth, Sara, and James.

Arlene Calderone

March 26, 2011

I would like to send my sincere condolences to Sara and James. I'm Mike's little sister, Arlene Calderone. Michael was the best brother anyone could ever have, as children. He was also an uncle to my four children, Chrissie, Mike, Danny and Casey-Tyler. Many great memories.

joan kniager

March 25, 2011

Dear Gildersleeve family,
I am very saddened to read of the untimely passing of dear beloved Michael. I work at the HS as a cashier in the cafe and most likely the kids have come to my register. Please send my condolances to them. May time heal your sorrow.

Diana Ricker

March 25, 2011

The comment about Mike described as the the 'Quiet Giant' made me smile. Mike was all about honor and obligation. He was a very good man. He was and is loved and will be missed dearly.

My condolences to Beth, Sara, and James.

March 24, 2011

I met Mike when I came to Stony Brook in 1982 and joined the track team. He was 2 years older, a fixture on the team, and a great example to us all. He trained his guts out everyday on the track. He also was a big believer in weight training and often chided we distance runners into joining him and his fellow sprinters in the weight room. Being younger and wanting to be accepted it was a thrill to be asked. I spent many early evenings in that shabby SB weight room listening to music and working out. Mike didn't say much but you knew he enjoyed having his teammates there. He was the embodiement of the quiet leader. I fell out of touch with him after he graduated but whenever I thought of my fond memories of SB track I honestly can say Mike was a big part of those memories and I would always say to myself how great a person Mike was.
To Beth and his children I am so sorry for your loss. My family and I will keep Mike and all of you in our prayers.
Gerry O'Hara SB '86

Alex Innamorati

March 24, 2011

I worked with Mike at Pall Filtron in Northboro Mass from 1997 thru 2000 although we first met in 1996 on the “The Island”. During that time we became fast friends and enjoyed going on hard core mountain bike rides at lunch, which he never failed to kick my butt! Mike was one of the most competitive and intelligent guys I’ve ever met, not to mention, articulate and detail oriented.

Over the past 11 years we would occasionally get together or exchange emails. Our last email was this past December, I wanted to give him my condolences for the Jets getting hammered by the Patriots. Only to find out he’d switched and become a Patriots fan so he couldn’t allow me the pleasure of torturing him. He also advised that he had become a Celtics fan because Doc Rivers played for the NY Knicks, but those stinking Yankees were still HIS TEAM!

Mike was proud of his team at Belmont Industries and truly enjoyed their company, which he always mentioned. However his children were the biggest thing in his life and he was one extremely proud daddy.

I’ll miss our emails and the fact we’ll never get to see each other again but he’ll be with me for the rest of my life, God bless my friend who always signed off with the letter - M

To the family and friends of Mike, please accept my condolences on behalf of the Innamorati family.

Lu Page

March 23, 2011

I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and husband. He will be missed not only by his family but by those whose lives he touched. I worked with Mike for a short time at Belmont Instrument and came to have a lot of respect for him and for the quiet way he had to instill in people a desire to get in and get the job done. May he rest in peace. May you his family find comfort in the days and weeks ahead.

Terry Hazell

March 23, 2011

"I was saddened to hear the tragic news about Mike. We were both on the Stony Brook Track team together and I do still have a framed picture of both of us running the 4X100 at the Penn State Relays in my office. That picture always reminded me of the good times we had together and how Mike always had a quiet, gentle demeanor about him but a fierce competitor on the track. He was one of the "good guys". My condolences to Beth and her family".

March 23, 2011

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. As a fellow SHS Track family, we always enjoyed seeing Mike at meets watching and cheering for Sara and James.

The Scribner Family

Larry Hahn

March 22, 2011

Beth called me at work today and told me the very sad news about Mike. I was extremely upset at this tragic loss. We were best friends in High School and when I was told what happened I felt a part of my childhood was lost. Although we never really kept in touch when we got older, I can only imagine what a great father he was. We both had children that were close in age. I always looked forward to the holiday card that we would receive with a photo on it. He will be missed.

David Statz

March 22, 2011

I only worked for Mike for 2.5 years but he was by far the best boss I ever had.
He knew how to get the most out of the people who worked for him.
We always had heated discussions about the Redsox/yankees rivalry as he was the big yankees fan in the company.
We will be able to fill his position but nobody will ever be able to replace what we lost.
He was the proudest father of both Sara and James as they excelled both academically and in the sports they played (track, basketball, soccer, baseball, etc...).
Mike will truly be missed as he was loved by all who really knew him.

George Brusard

March 22, 2011

I am already missing him.
I am honored to have called him Friend.
I know he loved dearly both Sara and James and he would often tell me about things they'd do like making burgers or driving to schools.
I know he loved Beth, his Wife and Friend.

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