Michael Joseph Harvey

Michael J. Harvey passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at home in Holyoke at the age of 74. Michael was born on October 29, 1946 in Pittsfield MA, the son of Harvey J. and Jadwiga (Wincek) Loveless. He was raised and educated in Pittsfield, then attended Assumption College, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst graduating with a degree in Business.

Michael was honorably discharged from the US Army after serving in Germany during the Vietnam conflict. Michael had a successful career in finance having worked for State St. Bank and Peat Marwick in Boston before taking a position as VP of Operations for Fleet Bank. Following his career in banking he was equally successful as a consultant in financial technical support. He was fortunate to retire at the age of 53, and spent the past 21 years doing what he loved best.

Mike loved the outdoors. He spent much of his time camping on family property affectionately called “daland” with family and friends. His MFG (mission from God) was to improve the site which is all relative since Mike worked on small details while his brothers and friends covered large swaths of territory. In the summer of 1982 Mike even took a team-building course at Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, where he learned to navigate the Maine coast while living on a pulling boat with a small group for two weeks. Mike was always up for an adventure, but he also loved being at his home in Hudson, NY where he meticulously tended his gardens and enjoyed beautiful views of the Catskills.

Mike was extremely proud of heating his home with wood, keeping his electric bill low during the winter months. He also took great pleasure working on firewood projects where he found creative uses for the wood remnants. Mike often gifted the family with cedar rounds so everyone could keep the moths away.

He had a sharp, analytic mind which he applied not only in his career but also in personal projects pertaining to law and insurance. Mike attacked everything with passion, tenacity and gusto.

Michael was quite competitive. He was always up for a game of bocce, winning local tournaments, shooting pool, playing cards, horse racing at Saratoga, visits to casinos and even taking on some day trading. Michael was also quite artistic. He loved classical music, wrote poetry and short stories, created unique pieces of art and enjoyed finding just the right items with which to decorate his home. Most of all Mike was a lover of kitties. He parented multiple cats at a time throughout his life giving them wonderful homes with tons of love and affection. He leaves his 3 special babies Dennis, Benny and Short Stuff, all who have found new homes with family and friends.

Beside his parents Mike was predeceased by his sister Lorraine Luzis, his brother Peter Loveless and his cousin Rick Mariani. Michael leaves his brother Norman Loveless of Bethel, CT his nephews Shaun and Brian Dwyer, Ben, Jack and David Loveless and his nieces Julie Loveless and Sara Johnson. In addition, he leaves his caretaker and sister-in-law Cynthia Loveless and his close cousins, Paula Sokop, Mark Mariani and Joan, Tom and Adrian Ryan. Mike also leaves behind many good friends and neighbors who took great care of him, his cats and his house over the last few months.

The family would also like to extend deep thanks to Michael’s Baystate Hospice team for the wonderful care they provided him throughout this ordeal.

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