Michael Jeffrey Dick

On Tuesday, June 14 Michael J. Dick of Dryden passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital after an extended battle with heart disease. Michael was born on November 8, 1951 in Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. He spent his early years in Turtle Creek, PA and Taylor, MI. His family moved to Huntington, NY when he was in 5th grade. Michael attended Brown University earning his B.S. in 1973. After graduation he worked for NYS Senator, the Hon. Bernard C. Smith as his assistant. Later he became the director of the Administrative Regulations Review Committee. He then attended Cornell Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1984. For the next 26 years, he worked for the New York State Court System serving as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Charles B Swartwood, Hon. Walter J Relihan and the Hon. Molly Fitzgerald. He worked for a few years in private practice with Jack Ward and Liam Murphy. He also served as a hearing examiner for Family Court in both Cortland and Tompkins County.
Michael will be remembered for his quick wit, love of the pun, being a lacrosse super fan, and most of all, his love of family. He leaves his beloved wife of 37 years, Jennifer. He also leaves a cherished daughter, Emily, whose academic accomplishments and nightly phone conversations were a constant source of joy. Also surviving are sisters Kimberly (James) Anton, Paradise Valley, AZ; Allison (Steve) Lang, Mill Valley, CA; a brother, Mitchell (Grace Kay) Dick, and his father, Richard E. Dick, both from Grand Rapids, MI. Michael leaves nieces and nephews: Annie Carey and Ellen (Geoff) Becker; Roy, Erica, Kelly and Joe Lang; David, Elisabeth, Daniel, Nathanael, Paul, and Joseph Dick. He was predeased by his mother, Dolores, and sister, Shelley (Benjamin) Carey.
Jennifer and Emily would like to thank the many nurses and doctors Michael encountered at Strong Memorial Hospital and in Cortland over these past 5 years, as well as the kind and considerate EMTs from Dryden Ambulance. Their care, support, and appreciation of Michael's sense of humor throughout this journey have given us strength and comfort.
Calling hours will take place Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18 at the Dryden United Methodist Church, with Pastor Harold Wheat officiating. A luncheon reception will be held immediately following the service. All are invited to join the family in sharing food, fellowship and memories. Donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association, the Tompkins or Cortland County SPCA, and Dryden Ambulance.