The world got a little darker…

Born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, Michael Peter Stack was the son of James Francis Stack and Eleanor Kay Stack (née Welch).

On November 5, 2026, Mike, 67, of Saxtons River, Vermont, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and an extraordinary appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.

Mike was a force for goodness and by all accounts, an exceptional human being. Named in honor of his great-great-great-grandfather from Youghal, Ireland, he embraced every bit of his Irish heritage. His love for Ireland ran deep, and in 2024, he sponsored a family trip to explore the country he so admired. Among the highlights was a visit to the filming locations of The Quiet Man. The film held a special place in the Stack household, where watching it together every St. Patrick’s Day was an annual tradition.

Music was another of Mike’s great passions. He loved listening to music and took particular pleasure in making curated mixtapes for himself and others. Sharing music with his children, Sarah and Peter was especially meaningful to him. Many of their drives from the Boston area to the family’s Vermont home, affectionately known as “Red Barn,” were accompanied by thoughtfully assembled soundtracks that became lasting family memories.

Mike’s love of the land was evident in the many ways he cultivated and shared it. He planted a small Christmas tree farm, giving the trees away to friends and family each holiday season. He also created places for others to enjoy the beauty of the region, with picnic tables offering sweeping views of the mountains of Southern Vermont and New Hampshire. For Mike, the land was not simply something to own, but something to nurture, appreciate, and share.

Academically accomplished, Mike graduated cum laude from Fairfield University with a degree in Finance, where he served as President and Founding Member of the university’s Financial Honor Society. He continued his studies at Fairfield, earning a Master of Science in Finance summa cum laude and receiving the prestigious Rosenthal Award as the university’s top graduate in Finance in 1986. He later earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a distinction he maintained for more than three decades.

Mike built an exceptional career spanning more than 30 years in the investment management industry. He held senior portfolio management and investment leadership positions at Putnam Investments, Babson Capital Management, Beaumont Financial Partners, and Thomas Partners, where he served as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Throughout his career, he helped develop and manage investment strategies for portfolios totaling as much as $20 billion in assets. Respected for his analytical ability, investment insight, and thoughtful perspective on the markets, Mike was a trusted adviser and valued mentor to colleagues and clients alike. Perhaps even more meaningful than his professional accomplishments were the lasting friendships he formed along the way. He was deeply admired by those fortunate enough to work alongside him.

His commitment to education and community extended well beyond his professional career. In 2021, Mike founded Bellows Falls Trades, an initiative dedicated to creating work-based learning opportunities for young adults through partnerships between local schools and community experts. The endeavor reflected his generosity and his enduring desire to help others find their way.

Mike’s life was a lesson in kindness, honesty, and caring for others. He gave freely, listened intently, and found happiness in sharing the things he loved. Those who knew him will remember his warmth and his remarkable ability to make people feel valued.

He leaves behind his beloved children, Sarah Christine (Martin Herbert-Burns) and Peter James Bray; his parents, James Francis and Eleanor Kay; his devoted sister, Cindy (Bern Haan); his loyal brother, Patrick; his goddaughter, Madeline Kay Stack; his nephew and finance mentee, Owen L. O’Donnell; many cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins (“cousin-blessed” as he’d say); and many step-nieces and nephews.

He is also lovingly remembered by Tina Siart Boylan, whose companionship brought him great happiness and warmth during his life.

We like to imagine Mike now wandering through a beautiful, wooded forest alongside his beloved dog, Ethel, with a favorite James Taylor song playing in the background.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at Saint Charles Catholic Church, 31 Cherry Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101. A graveside burial will follow, with a reception afterward where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate Mike’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to Saint Charles Catholic Church in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont.