Michael Edward Gerhard Obituary
Michael Edward Gerhard, age 67, of Pittsfield died Monday, April 17, 2023 at Berkshire Medical Center after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
Michael was born on November 17, 1955 a son of the late Edward and Inez Gerhard in Pittsburg, PA where he was raised until his family moved to Irwin, PA when he was 10. He was a 1974 graduate of Norwin Senior High School where he finished with honors. He then went on to attend the Greensburg campus of the University of Pittsburg from 1974-1976. He graduated in May of 1978 with his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Pittsburg main campus.
Mike moved to Pittsfield soon there after to start work at General Electric Ordnance Systems. He remained working through the changes of GE and eventually retired as an Information Security Specialist from Lockheed Martin, Inc. on April 7, 2017 with just shy of 39 years of combined service. He was very talented when it came to computers.
From a young age, Michael had an affinity for music. He began taking piano lessons in high school, and eventually learned to play the organ. He was a member of the Berkshire Concert Choir for over 25 years where he was past president and past secretary. He also belonged to the American Guild of Organists Berkshire Chapter, where he served as past secretary and past treasurer. He also sang in many other groups, to include the Stockbridge Festival Chorus, Berkshire Lyric Chorus and several church choirs. Michael had been a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield for the last 5 years.
He greatly enjoyed coin collecting and also looking into family history and ancestry. He was an incredibly smart and thoughtful man.
Michael married the former Marilyn Carpenter Grover on August 16, 2002, one month after their engagement while visiting Germany. They had their marriage blessed on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend at St. Teresa's Church, and Mike always loved celebrating that weekend with Marilyn.
In addition to his beloved Marilyn, Michael is survived by his sister Karen Peterson (Gregory) of Pittsburgh, PA and his nephews, Nick Peterson (Courtney Johnson) and Chris Peterson (Lauren), his step-children, Adrianne Grover and her previous husband Stephen Coe, Heather Grover Root, Donna Grover (Jim), Philip Grover (Paula), Rachelle Gayle (Nigel), and Michael Grover (Elizabeth). He also leaves grandchildren, Jesse and Alice Coe, Leland Grover, Nicholas Smith (Linda Chernoff) and Kayla Smith, Hollis and Finley Root, Corey Gillis (Kate), Brian Gillis (Krista), Alden Grover (Liz), Brandon Grover and Emily Grover-McNitt, many great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends who will all miss Michael greatly.
In addition to his parents, Michael was predeceased by stepsons, David and Paul Grover, and grandchildren, Jessie Grover, Justina Coe, and Matthew Coe.
Michael's family wishes to thank the staff at Berkshire Medical Center and at the Phelps Center for the care and compassion they showed to him over the last few weeks.
SERVICES: Visitation will be MONDAY, April 24th at the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home from 4-7PM. The celebration of Michael's life will continue Tuesday, April 25th at the Zion Lutheran Church with a funeral service at 3:30PM. In the spirit of keeping one another safe, we are asking that masks be worn at the funeral home and church by anyone who is unvaccinated. Inurnment at the Pittsfield Cemetery will take place on a warm and beautiful day in the summer time.
If friends desire, memorial donations may be made payable to: "Berkshire Concert Choir, INC." and mailed to the funeral home at 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201.
