AMHERST, David Michael (Mendel) Katz (b. July 9,1943) died Saturday, July 12, 2014, just after turning 71 on Wednesday. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Michael. He was a generous, kind, smart, and funny man, a good husband, father, and grandfather, and an enthusiastic cyclist, avid hiker and down hill skier. We will miss his quick repartee and fast smile.

Michael was born in New York City. He attended Elizabeth Irwin High School, an alternative progressive school in Greenwich Village, and then went to Hunter College for his degree in psychology. He began his life-long devotion to helping improve the quality of communities (and young people) with a job in counseling, planning and policy development. Michael furthered his career with a master’s degree in counseling from Springfield College and a Master’s in Social Work from Smith College in 1983. He was a psychiatric social worker with a special knack for relating to kids, working In Northampton at FCMIC and ending his career at Providence Hospital, Holyoke.

Michael married Susan Crystal Newman in 1972; they moved to Colrain, MA, to raise their two children, Jennifer Leah and Zachariah Micah. Jennifer married Matthew Buonincontro; they have two children, Max eight and Madeleine almost three; Zachariah married Kate Ostedgaard from Iowa City, IA, where they live. Michael loved his children and grand children: he was always there to help them at the drop of a hat. He nurtured their interests and instilled a lifelong love of learning and athletics. Michael encouraged and supported their academic and career efforts. He enjoyed traveling and spending his vacations with his family. As his kids affectionately called him, he was the best “dadums” ever. To his grandchildren, he will always be known as funny, loving “Non.” Michael left us way too soon. He will always be loved and remembered. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.