Michael Lester Bock, age 75, died peacefully at home on Saturday, March 25.
Mike was born February 24, 1942 in Manhattan, the son of Lester Bock and Nora Culbert Bock.
Mike grew up in the Bronx and attended Cardinal Hayes High School and later, Dewitt Clinton High School.
On January 22, 1961, Mike married Norma Jones, also of the Bronx, during a cold snowstorm in Newburgh, NY. Together, they had five children, Jeanine Bock Mosher, Deb LaFaive-Prucha, Michael D. Bock, Nicole D. Gadbois and Christian O. Bock, who all survive. Their respective spouses are Jack Wing, Tom Prucha, Kristin Kondysar, the late Jon Gadbois, and Valerie Bock.
Mike also had 17 grandchildren whom he loved and adored, Allison Barthel, Brandon LaFaive, Justin LaFaive, Amanda LaFaive, Katrina Wall, Kaitlin Rose, Danielle Bock, Gabrielle Gadbois, Nathan Hale Gadbois, Sara Mullane, TJ Mullane, Jacob Mullane, the late Bailey Bock, Clara Bock, Frankie Mullane, Dominic Bock and Anthony Bock. He also had 6 great grandchildren, Shaylee Nicole Stoner, Sydnee Marie Stoner, Randy Lee Stoner III, Aiden Christopher Rose, the late Abigail Lyn Williams and Madelyn Mae LaFaive.
He is also survived by his cousin Ron Vielee of Marion, Indiana who he considered like a brother, and Carol-Lee Murphy, his long-time dear friend, as well as many other cousins nieces and nephews.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, his second wife Norma Hanson Bock, his cousins William “Brud” Veilee and June Veilee Caulfield.
Mike loved his family and their shared love sustained him through his full and diverse life.
Mike had a tremendous and varied business career. Because of his sharp intellect and natural business acumen, he succeeded in all his ventures.
Mike was especially proud of his work on Wall Street, where he thrived in the fast paced environment, until moving his family from the Bronx to Lagrangeville in 1969. There, Mike owned and operated a Shell gas station and auto repair shop in Lagrangeville, dovetailing his lifelong love of cars.
Mike continued with many business ventures throughout his life, and retired at the age of 65 as a vice-president of operations at Pentagon Technologies, a computer technology firm in East Fishkill.
Mike was also a member of Mensa International and the Kiwanis Club. He was also an avid bowler, throwing multiple 300 games.
Mike commanded a room with his presence and his stories like no one we have known. He had a gift for words, knowledge and life that he shared with us, his love of music, food, people and places all coming together in great monologues from his genuine personality.
Mike was a real New York guy. His gift of recall was amazingly detailed, describing old friends, bowling alleys, cars, bars, streets and fun times in captivating and enthralling stories. He loved the Bronx and he loved NY.
Later in life, Mike would take his grandchildren Allison, Brandon, Justin, Amanda & Katrina on trips to NYC to enjoy Chinatown, Greenwich Village, the real city-- delis pizzarias and important landmarks, sharing his love of the city with them.
Mike was a passionate sports fan.
He told us of sneaking into the old Polo Grounds when he was a young guy in Washington Heights close by where his father Lester Bock worked and how he became a fan of the New York Giants baseball team, watching the great Willie Mays play ball.
When the Giants moved west, Mike adopted the New York Mets
For the sports fans in our family, it was a joy listening to Mike talk about the Mets and the New York Football Giants. Players, statistics, dates and games, his knowledge was encyclopedic, his love for his teams infectious, his insight always right on.
His passion for sports was equaled by his love of music, particularly 60’s and 70’s rock and roll. He had an historian’s knowledge of bands of this era, and shared his love of rock with his children, taking them to see many concerts, from Led Zeppelin to Cream and many, many more.
Never perfect, but nearly always positive, Mike’s voice and spirit will stay with us as we move forward.
We love you Dad.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 31st beginning at 4pm at the Dutch Reformed Church, 70 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY. All are welcome.
Arrangements held by William G. Miller and Sons Funeral Home, Poughkeepsie, NY. Visit the website: www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House of Greater Hudson Valley.

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