Michael P. Pancheri

Michael Patrick Pancheri, Esq. was an accomplished attorney-at-law who was a recognized expert in the field of probate law; specializing in wills, trusts, and complex tax law applications. For over 35 years he practiced law in the state of Connecticut. Living for most of that time in the town of West Hartford, and later in Canton, he excelled at possessing an exacting mind for detail and an intense, focused, and passionate dedication to providing his clients with a level of commitment not commonly found.

Pancheri died April 4th in the early morning in Harbor Springs, Michigan, where he had recently moved to enjoy his retirement with his wife of 45 years, Lynn (née Pera). He died following a two-yearlong battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Born and raised in the town of Quinnesec in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on April 7, 1945, Pancheri was the only male child of his parents Emanuel and Betty (née Polasky) Pancheri. He has three sisters; Susan Senatori of Madison, WI; Sarah Dodd of Eland, Wi; and Lisa Awrey of Crystal Lake, IL.

Pancheri was a focused, intense, yet compassionate man who demanded the best of himself and others. He would often work extremely long hours to fulfill the needs of his clients, his family, and friends. This pattern of rigorous undertaking was fomented working in his family’s market, The Pancheri IGA, in Quinessec, Michigan.

He excelled early in life, and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1963, where he starred as captain and quarterback of the football team, and as student body president. Most importantly this is where he would meet the woman that would become the most important part of his life story, his future wife Lenore (Lynn) Pera.

Pancheri completed one year at Michigan State University before being drafted into the Army, where he would eventually serve in the Vietnam conflict. After being selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS), he would serve in the Army First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) at the eventual rank of Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for acts of heroism, meritorious achievement, and meritorious service in a combat zone. Following his term in the Army, Pancheri transitioned back into civilian life.

Problem solving and a keen understanding of complicated condition sets propelled him to become an attorney. He graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1972 with a B.A. in History, from The University of Puget Sound School of Law (now the Seattle University School of Law) with a J.D in Law in 1974, and from Boston University’s School of Law with a LL.M. in taxation in 1975. He began his working career at the law firm of Gross, Hyde and Williams in Hartford, Connecticut, where he would become a partner specializing in probate law. He later was director of personal planning services in the Advanced Marketing Services Division of Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance, Co. He was responsible for the development of financial planning and estate planning services.

Settling in the town of West Hartford, he and his wife Lynn, an English teacher, began a family, with sons Michael Ryan, born 1979; and twins Stephen Thomas and Jeffrey Daniel, born 1983.

Juggling the chaos of three rambunctious boys and a demanding legal career proved no challenge for Pancheri, who would merge his legal workload with an array of childhood activities on the weekends. Soccer games, baseball practices, and theater plays filled all of Pancheri’s waking hours while not focusing on complicated probate law. He had a very close and individual relationship with each of his three boys.

Pancheri co-authored a book on individual retirement accounts en-titled The IRA-Handbook – A Complete Guide, which was first published in 1982. He was the director of the American Heart Association of Greater Hartford and a member of the American Bar Association.

Pancheri was the founder of the Living Trust Network, a website that provided information on wills, trusts, and general estate law for attorneys and others.

Through his life, Pancheri was able to see many parts of the globe, both east and west. He and his wife Lynn were fortunate to travel through Europe, visiting his ancestral home in Bresimo, Italy. Later in life, they enjoyed taking long road trips, often spending entire summers exploring the country from North to South. They had enjoyed a year in St. Petersburg, Florida prior to the purchase of a home on Lake Michigan in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Pancheri was also an avid University of Connecticut Men’s and Women’s Basketball fan, never missing a single minute of the action.

Michael Pancheri will be remembered by his family as a man of integrity who was just, caring, and overall kind. He eschewed praise for his actions, knowing that the result of his dedicated work would prove the most rewarding experience of all.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 850 North Center Avenue, Gaylord, MI. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com