Michael J. Pegorari, 70, of Great Barrington, died at his home on Friday, October 17, 2025. He was born in Great Barrington on July 9, 1955, the son of the late Q. John and Regina W. (Tarnawa) Pegorari.
Michael was a graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School with the class of 1973. He started working at his family-owned John’s Garage in Housatonic when just a youth and then went to work at Mead-Onyx Paper Co. in 1995, where he was a special projects engineer until his retirement in 2018. He was nicknamed “Macgyver” because he could fix or assemble anything.
Michael was a lifelong lover of the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman, hunter, and archer. He was also a proud member of the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club. Michael’s greatest joys were his family and friends and the time he spent with them. His generosity, willingness to lend a hand, and love of children defined who he was, a great man.
Michael is survived by his wife of 44 years, Denise (Chamberlin) Pegorari of Great Barrington; his daughter Shanna (Shay) Donald and her husband Nathan; his grandson Brady Donald; his brother David Pegorari and her wife Peggy of Housatonic; and his two sisters, Suzanne Kabisch of West Stockbridge and Doreen Twiss and her husband Clifford of Stockbridge. He will be greatly missed by his many nieces, nephews, and friends, as well as the entire community.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, October 23, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Michael’s memory may be made to the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club in care of the funeral home, or make a donation in Michael’s honor to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made through the funeral home’s website.
