Obituary of Fritz G. Michaelsen

Fritz G. Michaelsen, 92, of East Durham passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016 after a short rehabilitation stay at the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Brain Injury in Lake Katrine, New York. Born in NewYork City on Jan. 21, 1924, Fritz, son of Karen (Pedersen) and Louis Michaelsen graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, and attended Upsala College in East Orange, NJ prior to serving in the 79th Navy Seabee battalion in World War II, in theaters of war in the South Pacific, and Kodiak, Alaska. He married Catherine Marie Mack of East Durham, NY in 1947. He then attended Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO for a short time before taking a position with the New York State Department of Transportation, serving for the majority of his career as the Assistant Resident Engineer in the Cairo New York office. He retired in 1988. Fritz served many years on the Cairo Durham Central School Board in capacities as active member as well as that of President. He was also active in numerous fraternal and service organizations including the American Legion, VFW, Masonic Lodge, East Durham Fire Company, Shriners. He was also active in his church, St. Paul's Lutheran, in Oak Hill, New York. Besides his parents Fritz was predeceased by his wife Marie in 2008. Fritz is survived by his children Richard (Jean) of Sanborn, NY, Karen (Duane) Shelato of Lewistown, Pa., Ruth Ann Michaelsen of East Durham, NY and grandchildren Erik (Jeanette) Michaelsen, of North Tonawanda, NY, Mark Michaelsen of Manassas, Va., Kelly (Jeff) Carvalho of Dighton, MA., Kyle (Mary) Shelato of Ithaca, NY and great grandchildren Hannah, Joseph, William, and Catherine Carvalho. He is also survived by a sister Anne (late Robert) Collender of Fort Edward, NY, and a brother Knud (late Elaine) Michaelsen, of Ashburn, Va., as well as brother-in-law George (Thelma) Mack. Fritz also leaves behind his very special companion Frances Rossback of Coxsackie. He's additionally survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the ICU and Cardiology staff at Albany Medical Center and the Vent staff at Northeast Center for their kindness during Fritz's recent hospitalization and treatment. Family and friends may call at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville, NY on Friday, Sept. 30 from 4 to 8 pm followed by a church service on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oak Hill, NY. Interment will be conducted privately at a later date at the family's convenience in the Winston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fritz's name to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104-2396. Fritz was active in transporting local patients to that hospital. Condolences may be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.