Michael Jeffrey Stennes, age 57, of Elkins, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was a son of Ernie Stennes and Judy Hall.
Michael graduated from Turners Falls High School, Greenfield Community College, and UMASS with degrees in Electrical Engineering. Following his education, he was employed by Raytheon, where he worked as Senior Electrical Engineer for seven years and led the engineering of the Patriot Missile System Upgrade. He then went on to a long and fulfilling career as an electrical engineer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, where he designed receiver systems for numerous radio telescopes at the observatory.
As an avid runner and bicyclist, Michael enjoyed a highly active lifestyle, regularly training for and participating in marathons and triathlons around the world, including the 2016 Iron Man Triathlon; even qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He played an active role in his community, organizing multiple races in the West Virginia area, including the Annual Turkey Trot held at the observatory.
He is survived by his mother, Judy Ayoub Hall, and step-father, Carl Hall; his father, Ernie Stennes, and step-mother, Maurine Stennes; four loving children, Katherine, Jonathan, and wife, Shelby, Ryan, and wife, Hannah, and David; granddaughter, Willow Stennes; his girlfriend, Julia Brumfield, of Elkins; two brothers, Eric Stennes, and wife, Jennifer, of Bernardston, Massachusetts, and Mark Stennes, and girlfriend, Paulina Franco, of South Hadley, Massachusetts; three nephews, Nicholas, Ben and Michael; and other loving family.
Funeral service was held July 28 at United Church of Bernardston, in Bernardston, Massachusetts, with Rev. David Neil officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorials made be made to the Michael Stennes Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Greenfield Cooperative Bank, 144 Main Street, Northfield, MA 01360.
Online condolences may be made at www.kidderfuneralhome.com
