Michael James Green

Michael James Green, 73, formerly of Hagaman and most recently residing in Fort Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully with his wife and son Christopher at his side on April 5, 2020.

Mike was born in Amsterdam on November, 19, 1946. He's the son of the late James M. Green and Dorothy Ann McGillin.

As a child, Mike attended St. Mary's Institute until he was kicked out after being called, "A defiant little Communist" by one of the nuns. He then received his education in the Amsterdam school system and graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1965.

After graduation, Mike answered the call from President Lyndon Baines Johnson and served four years in the United States Navy. Mike was a proud Viet Nam Veteran. He served with the Mine Division One Hundred Eleven and also aboard the U.S.S. Lexington CVS -16. After his honorable discharge in January 1972 from Long Beach, CA, Mike moved back to Amsterdam and worked for numerous construction companies.

Mike later became a member of the Amsterdam Police Department. He served 22 years and rose to the rank of lieutenant. A highlight of Mike's career was being Kirk Douglas's body guard during the dedication ceremonies for Kirk Douglas Park in Amsterdam. He taught firearms training and hostage negotiation at the state level and worked for Montgomery County as a child investigator.

In the early 1980s Mike started his own locally successful landscaping business which he ran for 20 years. He quickly found out that you can never please everyone and if he didn't at least try to succeed, he never would have known what it was like to fail. Mike did his best, and for that he is satisfied with his accomplishments.

Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, camping and especially golf. He took many golf trips with friends and golfed in at least twenty states. He was rewarded with two holes in one at Muni, one on hole 4 and the other on hole 16. He also enjoyed bowling and rolled himself a perfect 300 game.

Mike was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam. He was a member and former Vice-President of the Amsterdam P.B.A., Superior Officers Association, John J. Wyszomirski American Legion Post 701, The Bigelow Weavers Club and Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course. While raising his children, Mike served as a Little League baseball coach and a member The Amsterdam Rams Booster Club; elected as President in 1989.
On November 28, 1970, Mike married the former Mary Ann Bush, who became the most influential person in his life. Without his wife life could have taken a different turn for Mike, but through her strength and perseverance life was both peaceful and rewarding. She was certainly the angel who protected and loved Mike. They spent 49 years together.

Upon moving to Florida to be close to his 3 grandchildren, Michael attained increased fulfillment in his life. Referred to as "Poppy" he was deeply loved and hugely impactful on the grandchildren's understanding of family.

Of note, Mike served as best man during Chris and Michelle's 2007 wedding.

Mike is survived by his two sons, Dr. Christopher M. Green (Dr. Michelle) of Estero, FL and Jeffrey R. Green; two sisters, Eileen Scarton (Henry) of Troy, NY ; and Katherine Mormile of Clifton Park, NY; three grandchildren, Townson Michael, Ryder Davis and Nola Riley Scarlett Green. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

So Long, Mike. You Are Loved.

Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family.