Michael Weinberg

Michael Weinberg, 59, of Clay, died May 26, 2010 from liver cancer. He is survived by his loving husband Timothy Ray, his mother Eileen Weinberg of Delray Beach, FL, his brother Martin Weinberg of Jacksonville, FL, and his beloved friend Joshua Slocum of Winooski, VT.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Michael graduated from The Bronx High School of Science. He received his undergraduate and his master's degrees from SUNY Buffalo.

In addition to his family and friends, Michael had three great passions: teaching, the English language, and advocating for the rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender people, especially young people. He taught English at Liverpool High School for 30 years before retiring in 2007. While he looked forward to traveling the world in retirement, he never stopped missing the classroom and his students.

Michael considered Herman Melville's Moby Dick the greatest work of American literature, and he would have been pleased if anyone should read from the book and remember him.

Michael was an early counselor for a support group that offered a safe haven for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people. He also founded the Gay Straight Alliance at Liverpool High School, and was a board member of CNY Pride. Having lived for decades with HIV, and having lost many friends to AIDS, Michael remained committed to improving care and support for people living with HIV.

Michael was deeply touched to recently receive an award for outstanding service to LGBT people and their families from the Rainbow Alliance of CNY and the Syracuse University LGBT Resource Center.

Contributions in Michael's memory may be made to CNY Pride, PO Box 6608, Syracuse, 13217/www.cnypride.org or the GSA at LHS, 4338 Wetzel Rd., Liverpool, 13090, payable to Central Treasurer with GSA notification.

While committed to very serious causes, Michael's sense of humor---inherited from his late father Irving---was ever front and center. He could turn any complaint (another favorite pastime) into a chance for a laugh. Irked by a misplaced apostrophe or a clumsy expression? Michael was the one who understood, and he relished the chance to gripe and chuckle along with you.

Michael will be cremated, and calling hours will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 1 with services to follow immediately at 7:00 pm at New Comer Funeral Home, 705 N. Main St., North Syracuse.