Michael Jay Buratto Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Michael Jay Buratto, 58, died on Friday, May 1 at Mount Carmel Care Center. Michael was born in Lee, Ma on March 5, 1957 to Reno and Norma Delbarco-Buratto, he attended Lee schools and graduated Salutatorian of his graduating class in 1975. Michael was an altar boy for St. Mary's church in Lee. He played baseball and football. He had been considered the best athlete in his class. After graduation he briefly attended West Point then graduated from UMass in Civil Engineering, placing third in his studies out of four-hundred students. Michael usually excelled at anything he strived for. Michael loved being a carpenter and worked for many years side by side with his Uncle John Buratto. Mike loved being in the country, hiking in the Berkshires hills, while skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. He loved the quiet lifestyle with his wife; Deborah and their dogs and horses. Michael loved gardening and advocated often for abused animals; and he was key to helping end Greyhound racing in Massachusetts. He supported various charitable organizations, while fostering/supporting many children in Africa and helping the homeless. Mike was most generous with his time helping his family and friends with various projects. He loved to travel with his wife, Deborah and her brother, David, to Park City, Utah, Mexico, California, England and, Italy, which were some of the places they traveled to. Michael was an energetic person. When he wasn't working with stone or carpentry work he would be riding his bicycle. On many occasions he loved bike racing. After Mike's bicycle accident, some eighteen years ago, he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and then suffered with Alzheimer's disease. Mike was always optimistic and strong willed through his illness. He loved life to the fullest by giving remarkable achievement. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Deborah, his family, friends, and his dog, Alesia. Besides his parents, Reno and Norma Delbarco-Buratto, of Lee; and wife, Deborah Rufo-Buratto, of Richmond, Michael is survived by three brothers, Peter and his wife, Robin Buratto, of Lee, Brian and his wife, Michelle Buratto, of Lee, Marc and his wife, Wendy Buratto, of Bellingham, Mass.; and his two sisters, Lisa and her husband, Chris Young, of Lee, Jane and her husband, Scott LePrevost, of Lee; father and mother-in-law, George and Dorothy Rufo, of Richmond; and four brothers-in-law, George and his wife, Cecelia, of Dalton, Michael of Pittsfield, David and his wife, Lynne Rufo, of Lyme, Conn., Steven Rufo, and Daniel Dempsey of Richmond. Michael was prede-ceased by a sister, Ann Buratto. FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Pittsfield celebrated by the Rev. Peter Gregory, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Charles Church in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240.

Michael Jay Buratto

May 1, 1957 - May 1, 2015