Recent Obituaries

Condolences

• 02/13/2026

  Lynn & John Harter

  Our deepest sympathy to the Kirby family. I remember Michael quite well in my science classes - can't say he didn't give me a few gray hairs. Knew the entire family & have always appreciated bumping into them over the years. Our thoughts & prayers are with you- Lynn & John Harter

• 02/12/2026

  Jonhayro Rivera

  Kirby and I were enrolled at The City College of New York's Film School from 2000-2004.....or so, I believe. During that time we formed a little group of filmmakers the group included Mike, Joti, Terrance, Brian, Barbara and myself. We all had an immense love for cinema and creativity. In school we saw what many people consider the greatest movies of all time together for the first time. Movies like Man with a movie camera, Seven Samurai, Grand Illusion and many more. We would talk endlessly about movies. We explored NYC together, movie screenings, the newly created Tribeca Film Festival created many avenues for us young filmmakers to get involved. We all dreamed of being auteurs but where I was a tech guy and i wanted to get to know the equipment better, Kirby was great at was writing. I can specifically remember Kirby opening up a file cabinet in his apartment filled with scripts and short stories he had written. As we got to know each other more we both realized film wasn't the only love we shared. Both of us were avid Yankees and Dave Matthews Band fans. We went to numerous Yankee games and concerts, I also remember going to the 2007 Super Bowl Parade with him downtown and celebrating the Giants Super Bowl win. A very vivid memory of Kirby is him in his couch taking out his guitar as we talked about our favorite DMB songs. When I told him mine was "Warehouse" he immediately started playing the opening to the song on his guitar to which I responded with the appropriate WOOO that fans shout out during live performances, it was during this same evening that we discovered we'd both created usernames for online accounts with the name Cyrus Jones, a lyric from a solo Dave song called "Gravedigger," Kirby's favorite at the time. The last DMB concert we went to here in NYC (11/12/10 at MSG) was a blast, we got an amazing set list and even got the great Paquito D'Rivera as guest. Kirby was a dear friend whom for a period of time in my life I saw every day, at least 8 hours a day and when I say every day, I mean every day. He was funny, tall and handsome and carried himself as the cool guy in the group. We spent many nights watching sports at The Dead Poet were he worked for some time. He facilitated my being there by rarely charging me for all the beers he served me, and always had a seat ready for me near him so we could chat away about everything and anything. I knew I always had a friend in Mike and that's something I've kept in my heart and always will. My sympathies to Ashlie, I don't know if you remember me but I was there at the beginning when you guys met, Wish I'd stayed in touch more once you moved away but I just want to say how sorry I am. I hope these small words can show your daughters a small little slice of Mike's life before them. With love- Jonhayro Rivera Here is the setlist from that last DMD show at MSG. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dave-matthews-band/2010/madison-square-garden-new-york-ny-1bd551cc.html

• 02/11/2026

  Alfred Viggiani

  Michael and I shared a bond that's hard to put into words. Even though he was younger than me, he carried himself like an old soul. In a lot of ways, I looked up to him — as strange as that may sound. Back when I was in my 30s and trying to find my footing, I was consumed with the fear of failing. I worried constantly about survival, about building a career, about providing. Michael, in his 20s, would dive deep into those conversations with me. One thing he said has stayed burned into my mind ever since: "You're a survivor. You may fail, but you'll never not be able to provide for yourself or your future family." I still hear him say it. We walked a path together for a long while — fulfilling, dangerous at times, and full of life lessons. Those conversations shaped me more than he probably ever knew. A few years ago, I stumbled across his phone number and decided to reach out. He answered. We talked. I got to speak with his girl. I was genuinely happy knowing he had found peace and happiness. He will be deeply missed. Rest easy, my friend.