Michael Baillargeon

Philip Michael Baillargeon passed away on May 9, 2020 of complications from COVID-19. He was born in Woonsocket, RI on January 27, 1945 to Philippe and Amelia (Dunaj) Baillargeon. He graduated from local Catholic schools and received a B.A. Liberal Arts from St. Francis College (now the University of New England) in Biddeford, Maine in 1966. After graduation, he worked in Purchasing at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division in CT. He was an avid swimmer, skier, hockey player and referee. Michael was honorably discharged from the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1967 and as a Sergeant E-5 from the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1972. In 1980, he entered the healthcare field, first becoming the Director of Materials Management at Baystate Health Systems. During his career, Michael held the title of President of the Rhode Island Hospital Purchasing Society. He continued to work in this field as a director and then as a consultant traveling all over the country, until his first stroke in March 2003, not quite three years after his marriage to Edith “Eydie” (Allen) Zive of Longmeadow, MA. Unable to work full-time, he reached out to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission which felt he and his experience would be a good fit for the Springfield YMCA where he made many cost-saving improvements, until the hours allotted him from the MRC expired. Michael spent his time enjoying his Persian and Himalayan cats, reading and watching the news. He was a news and political aficionado, thrilled with meeting and being photographed with his hero, Bill O’Reilly at Boston University in 2002. Michael was proud of his “food snob affectation,” and had his very favorite restaurants where the chef/owner knew they hit a home run if Michael liked what he ordered. He had an esoteric sense of humor which was once described by a physician as “sophisticated.” Michael loved dogs and cats. When he was consulting in Sante Fe, NM, Eydie asked him to send her photos of the city. He did, each with him and a dog he “met” on the street. Michael was a loving and altruistic human being. He wanted to help those in need, or find ways to let his friends know they were special and important to him. In 2018, after the amputation of his right leg and because of other medical complications, his wife made the agonizing decision to move Michael to Heritage Hall East in Agawam, MA where he received quality care and therapy. After a time, they were able to continue their enjoyment of live theater productions and dining at their favorite restaurants. He looked forward to baseball season and an annual Red Sox game and steak dinner with his wife and good friend Phil. He will be missed by his long-time and devoted friends Edward Allen of Northampton, MA, Ted Almon of Warwick, RI, Stuart Chipkin of Northampton, Bill Collins, chef/owner of Center Square Grill in East Longmeadow, MA, Phil Foussard of St. Paul, MN, David Gloth of Boston, MA and Tom McDonough of South Windsor, CT. In addition to his wife Eydie of Enfield, CT, he leaves three sons-in-law and their families, Brian, Christine, Gabriella and Solomon Zive of Mansfield, MA, Todd, Mindy, Alex and Marina Zive of Irvine, CA, and Keith, Elaine, Benjamin and Bridget Zive of Walpole, MA. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Miriam Allen of Framingham, MA, sisters-in-law Joyce Samuels and her partner Joseph Gordon of Wayland, MA and Cynthia and JB Dyas of Los Angeles, CA. Due to the coronavirus, funeral arrangements are private. Donations may be made to the Baystate Health Fund, 759 Chestnut St. Springfield, MA 01199 or the Majestic Theater c/o Danny Eaton 131 Elm St. West Springfield, MA 01089. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com