Michael was born June 30, 1956, in the Batavia, son of the Dr. Paul J. and the late Dorothy Phillips of Batavia, NY.
Michael graduated from Paul Smith College in Lake Placid, NY, and received his bachelor's degree in hotel management from Florida International University.
Michael was an avid animal lover, and his passion was horses. He spent the last 10 years volunteering many, many hours at Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center, an organization that works with individuals with a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social special needs including military veterans through horses.
Surviving along with his father, is Michael's finance, Dr. John "Yanni" Styliaras, three brothers, Paul (Lisa Bosley) of Loveland, Colo., Edward of Babylon, NY, and Daniel (Jacquie) of Batavia; three sisters, Anne of Batavia, Constance Chisolm of Rochester and Katie (Robert) Brown of Batavia; many nieces and nephews, as well as, his dear friend, Richard Oriolo.
There will be no prior visitation. A memorial service will be held at Thursday, April 9 at Resurrection Parish-St. Joseph's Church at 9:30 a.m. Memorials in honor of Michael's memory, can be made to the Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center (www.reindancer.org).
