C. Michael Dodson

C. Michael Dodson, 83, of Springfield, MA passed away on February 10, 2021. He was born in Milford, DE on February 11, 1937, the first of five children of John L. Dodson and Bettina M. (Stewart) Dodson and was called Michael by family and friends throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Diana (Dodson) Ingersoll and her husband Richard Ingersoll, all of Berlin, VT.

Michael honorably served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1961. He then went on to college earning a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson State College in 1964 and a Master’s Degree in Education from St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT in 1970. He enjoyed a distinguished and fulfilling 40-year career in education in both VT and PA, beginning as a teaching principal and basketball coach in Fairlee, VT out of college, and continuing throughout his career in elementary and middle school administration. His focus was always on what was best for kids.

Michael was actively involved in the East Longmeadow United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee and volunteered much of his time on various committees. A diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Eagles, Michael would only miss a game for family commitments, his family coming first and foremost above all else. Devoted to his children and grandchildren, attending as many sports games and school functions he possibly could. Throughout his life, Michael loved spending time on the family “farm” in Berlin, Vermont. He spent as much time there as he could, surrounded by the family he loved, much of it while gathered around the pool. Michael was known for his giving heart, sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor, and will forever have a profound impact on his loving family.

Michael is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Suzanne (Sheppard) Dodson, and five children: daughters Diana-Jean Jones, her husband Neil and their children Kyle, Erin, Lucas and Nolan of Hyde Park, VT, and Michelle Chaffee, her husband Greg Welch and their children Madeline and Tucker of Marshfield, MA, son John L. Dodson, his wife Patricia and their children Maxwell, Benjamen and Sidney of Birdsboro, PA, his stepson Jeffrey Prorok and his partner Dacia Bailey, his stepdaughter Victoria (Prorok), her husband Dominick, and their children Olivia and Nicole of Feeding Hills, MA. Michael also leaves behind his brothers Norman Dodson, his wife Linda of Titusville, FL and their children Bill and Katie, George Dodson and his wife Denise of Barre, VT and their son Father James, and Stephen Dodson of Berlin, VT, along with many other family members including his feline constant companion Tigger, by whom he will be dearly missed.

Calling hours will be held at the Forastiere Funeral Home in East Longmeadow on Wednesday, February 24th from 2:30 – 4:00 in the afternoon with a religious service at 4:00 for those who wish to attend. All required safety guidelines due to COVID will be strictly followed. Memorial service and burial and will take place in Berlin, VT in the spring or summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America www.pva.org.

---