Michael Greenberg

Michael J. Greenberg, 77, of West Shokan, NY, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was born on March 20, 1947 in the Bronx, NY, son of the late Gabriel and Lillian (Feder) Greenberg. 

After receiving his B.A. in Sociology at SUNY New Paltz, Michael settled in Ulster County for life, where he could easily appreciate and indulge in his wonder of nature and animals and a down-to-earth lifestyle. Living for over 25 years in his most recent home in the Catskill Mountains, he enjoyed his retirement spending much of his time outside and in the community, taking walks, bird and deer watching, listening to music and befriending neighbors and community members. Michael was full of other passions and was always up for engaging in an earnest discussion on topics ranging from sports to politics, medicine to psychology, finance to food. Michael was a true and loyal friend, in his heart wanting the best for people he knew – including dear life-long friends and those he met later in life - as well as for humanity on the whole. His career was devoted to helping others. In his earlier career, he was a child-care worker for troubled boys but most of his career was as a Probation Officer for Ulster County, where he worked to help people build a better their life for themselves.

Nothing gave Michael more pride and joy than his family who survives him: son Scott Greenberg of Rosendale, NY, Scott’s partner Antonia and her daughter Samantha; and his daughter Laurel Bright and her husband Peter of Briarcliff Manor, NY, and his cherished grandchildren, Dylan and Elena Bright. Surviving family also include Michael’s brother Steven Greenberg and his wife Laurie Greenberg, niece Jill Byron and nephew Charlie Greenberg; and son Zane Massey and his wife Alexandria and grandchildren Zane II, Zion and Terron.

Michael was buried with a private ceremony at Montrepose Cemetery in Kingston, NY on Sunday January 12, 2025 with arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service. Donations may be made in Michael’s memory to the Ulster County SPCA or the Children’s Home of Kingston.