Passed away peacefully at his home of natural causes on November 28, 2021, at the age of 84. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and caregivers. He is predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Rebecca Hirsh, and survived by Carol Nobel Hirsh, his loving wife of 58 years; children, David (Allison Cook) Hirsh and Susan (Charles Glick) Hirsh; grandsons, Samuel, Joseph, James, Benjamin, and Gabriel; sister, Sandra Golding; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Sanford and Margery Nobel; nephews and nieces, Larry, Ellen, Matthew, Andrew, Gary, Philip, and their spouses.

“Dr. Mike,” a pediatrician at Genesee Hospital for over 30 years, cherished and delighted in taking care of generations of children in the Rochester area.

Born in North Adams, MA in 1937, Mike attended Drury High School and Northfield Mount Hermon School. He was a proud graduate of Dartmouth College (’59) and Boston University School of Medicine (’63). He completed his internship in pediatrics at Genesee Hospital and trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation at University Hospital in Boston before serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. He returned to Rochester and completed his pediatrics training in 1969 and began his joyful career. He deeply enjoyed teaching at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry where he became Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. He held high standards as a teacher. His students—their promise and their great hearts—brought him unending joy.

He would be easily identified by his low voice and thunderous clap from the sides of Brighton sporting events. His commitment to all the players was unambiguous. He enjoyed being an unofficial “team doc” of Brighton wrestling.

People appreciated his warm smile and that sparkle in his eye. His thick hands showed gentle care, and his quiet way and few words belied his love of important personal conversations. He loved family and loved quirky neck ties (“for my patients”), spy novels, games, mountains, fixing things, cooking, and his second avocation, gardening. He loved the natural world, and he loved to grow things.

Funeral Services will be held on WEDNESDAY, December 1, 2021 at 11 AM in the sanctuary of Temple B’rith Kodesh (2131 Elmwood Avenue – CLICK HERE FOR A MAP). Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends in their home on WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 5-7 PM, and FRIDAY 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, and through ZOOM on Monday, December 6, 2021, starting at 7 PM. CLICK HERE ON MONDAY TO ZOOM IN WITH THE FAMILY.

The family respectfully requests that people who attend in-person events be masked and vaccinated.

For those unable to attend services in person, please CLICK HERE just before 11 AM on Wednesday to live stream the service.

Donations may be made in Mike’s memory to

The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1606 [LINK]

or

Jewish Family Service of Greater Rochester, 255 East Ave Suite 201, Rochester, NY 14604 [LINK]

or a charity of one’s choice.