Michael Thomas Dunn, 78
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Michael was born in Washington DC, the first of six sons of Philip A. Dunn and Kathryn Monahan Dunn.
He grew up in Tarrytown, NY, part of an extended family of Irish heritage. Michael attended high school in White Plains, NY. After high school, he took a year off to travel across Europe, on a bike or in a car with his brothers. He graduated from Manhattan College with a BS in electrical engineering.
Michael moved to southern California to take an engineering job. After a couple of years, he moved north to Berkeley and taught himself to make belt buckles and jewelry from shells and metals. He took numerous trips to Baja California (Mexico), where he camped on the beach and fished for his supper. He also gathered shells to use in his studio.
He met and married his wife Adrian in Berkeley and the two of them moved back east to Petersburg, NY, where they built their own house, using Michael's carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills and Adrian's design skill. A passive solar house, it still meets current standards for energy efficiency.
To make money, Michael made sterling silver jewelry in his studio and sold it on the craft fair circuit. Michael and Adrian made annual trips to New York City. They explored the botanical gardens, museums, and galleries, and visited dear friends in Greenwich Village and Coney Island.
All of his life, Michael was in love with nature and enjoyed hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking and sailing. He was adventurous, independent, and had a quick sense of humor. He was a faithful husband and loving father to his daughter Ariel. After 20 years in Petersburg, Michael and his family moved to Williamstown and later to North Adams, where he was an avid member of the YMCA and was often found on the racquetball court.
In his late 60s, Michael hiked and camped all over New Zealand with his daughter Ariel, a trip he said was one of the best adventures of his life.
Michael leaves his wife Adrian, their daughter Ariel Dunn-Evanczuk and her husband Mike, and their two children. He is also survived by four brothers--Chris Dunn, Greg Dunn, Thomas Dunn, and Dominic Dunn, and their families, all of New York state.
A Memorial Service will be held in Fellowship Hall of First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown. Jan. 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM.