Michael Hertzberg

On August 22, 2023 Michael Hertzberg died following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Michael was a loving, devoted, and supportive father to Julie and David (Brandy Mitchell), grandfather to Paige, Alice, and Madeleine, and longtime partner to Gail Winston.

Michael was born June 8, 1939, and grew up in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. He attended Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania Law School, then began a long career as in-house counsel for New York Telephone (eventually Verizon). He married Barbara Small in 1969 and the couple had two children, Julie and David. They lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where Michael lived until his death. Michael and Barbara divorced in 1997.

Music was a central part of Michael's life: from childhood piano lessons and starring roles in musical theater productions throughout his school years to playing piano and guitar for friends and family, he was also an avid singer of choral music. For decades, Michael sang in the Temple Shaaray Tefila choir, the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church choir, and the Berkshire Choral Festival. An avid concertgoer, he particularly loved the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Michael absolutely adored his longtime partner Gail Winston, who was a devoted and loving presence in Michael’s life until the very end. Together, they embarked on countless adventures throughout the world, from African safaris to private Caribbean islands.

Michael was loved deeply by those lucky to know him. Kind, generous, and loving, he greeted everyone with a bright smile and had a deep, infectious laugh. He lit up whenever he saw his children and grandchildren, celebrated their accomplishments, and supported them through difficult times. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in our hearts.

Please consider making a donation in Michael's honor to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center by visiting giving.mskcc.org.

A funeral service for Michael will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM at Sinai Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY 11003.