NORWICH – Michael Patrick Gale, 46, of Endicott, passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, doing what he liked best - camping with friends and family.
Mike was born to the late David O. and Edith (Jackson) Gale on May 26, 1960, in Norwich. He attended Oxford and Norwich schools and SUNY Morrisville, where he majored in psychology. Mike worked mostly in the security field, in the Norwich and Binghamton areas as well as in Texas, and was currently employed by Security Mutual Insurance of Binghamton. He continued to enjoy his camping, hunting, fishing and dabbling in photography. For a period, he was somewhat of a billiards pro, and was always persistent in his love of cooking which he attacked with great enthusiasm. One of Mike’s greatest joys was participating every Tuesday in the Broome-Tioga Special Olympics with his brother-in-law.
Mike was always smiling and saw a bright side to just about everything. He tackled every task with great faith of a successful outcome. More recently, since the death of his wife, Vicky Helen Gale on May 30, 2005, Mike has been doing research on the men who worked in the CCC Camps of New York State, because of family history.
Besides his parents, Mike’s infant nephew, Corey James Mayne, predeceased him. His survivors include his sister, Bridget Cruikshank and her fiancé, Jim Provo; his sister, Shannon Cruikshank; half-brothers Larry Gale, and David Gale of Norwich; and a half-sister, Judy Storrin of Norwich. He is also survived by his niece, Nycole Lowe, husband Richard, and sons Jonathon and Zackary of Norwich; niece Tabitha Eccleston, husband Dallas, and sons Dawson and Payton (born 9/2/2006) of South New Berlin; and nephew, Shawn Mayne of Norwich. Several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a family friend, Mervin Predmore of Norwich, also survive. He leaves his best friend, Stacie Smith and her three children, Sebastian, Kelsy, and Koty of Endicott.
Services for the celebration of Mike’s life will be held at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 North Broad St., Norwich, at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. David Cook, pastor of the West Comers Baptist Church of Endicott, will officiate. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make contributions to the American Heart Association, Hearts Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049; to the National Kidney Foundation of Central New York, 731 James St., Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13203; or to the charity of their own choosing.