Michael Rupprecht

Michael “Mike” Rupprecht, 65 of Bennington, VT, most recently of Brooksville, FL, passed away at the Sturgill Hospice House in Brooksville, surrounded by his family on January 7, 2023, after a short but very courageous battle with cancer. Mike was born on April 10, 1957, in Adams, MA to the late Elaine (Gravel) Dodge and Robert Rupprecht. Mike graduated from Hoosac Valley High School in Cheshire, MA in 1975. Following graduation, Mike enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National guard. He served with the Support Company 2nd Battalion, 104th Infantry, based in Adams, MA. He was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, he served from October 3, 1975 until he was honorably discharged on July 2, 1981. Mike worked at various businesses throughout Berkshire and Bennington counties during his life. His first job was in Pittsfield, MA as a teenager at Sears & Roebuck as an appliance repair man. He also worked at Arnold Printworks in Adams, MA as a screen printer, Bennington College working campus security, Bijur Lubricating as a machinist, US Tsubaki working in the chains and sprockets department, Southwest Technical where he was lovingly known as “Mr. Mike” by some and most recently with the Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union at Mount Anthony Union High School working in maintenance. Mike married the former Patricia Hebert on March 26, 1977, in Bennington. Mike was an avid sports enthusiast. Mike coached numerous youth sports teams throughout his life. Teams included MAYAA Football, Bennington Lanes Youth Bowling, Bennington Young Women’s Softball, MAU Freshman Football and Bennington Little League. Mike enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events at all levels from instructional to college. Mike was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Minnesota Vikings and for a while, NASCAR’s Tony Stewart. In September of 1977, Mike joined the Bennington Rural Fire Department as a member of the Beech Street Fire House, Company Number 3. During his time with the department, he served as a Lieutenant three times on 3 of the department’s 4 companies and Assistant Chief twice for the department. Mike achieved Life Member status with both the Bennington Rural Fire Department and the Vermont State Firefighters Association. Mike also served as a Lieutenant with the Bennington Village Fire Department as a member of the Stark Hose Company and later served as a firefighter with the Shaftsbury Fire Department. In 2003, Mike was approached to run the Junior Firefighter Program within the Bennington Rural Fire Department and happily accepted, with his son as the first Junior to join. Mike enjoyed many hobbies including camping seasonally at Broken Wheel Campground in Petersburgh, NY. Mike’s other hobbies included golf, bowling, building, visiting friends for game night for dominoes and pitch and taking his buddy Morgan for walks around the campground and neighborhood. He was a very likeable man who made friends easily and would talk to anyone. Survivors include his wife, Patricia. Two daughters, Nicole Crossman and her husband Douglas of North Bennington and Jessica Lillie of Bennington. A son, Michael Rupprecht (Sabrina Susee) of Salem, NY. Seven grandchildren, Bradley, Katarina, Madisyn, Alexis, Jonathan, Natalie and MacKenzie. His sisters Monique Fredline of Laporte, IN and Laurie Margison and her husband Ken of Pittsfield, MA. A brother, James Rupprecht and his wife Christine of North Adams, MA. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mike is predeceased by his parents, a sister Nannette Gould and a niece Charlie Ann (Gould) Cook. Friends may call at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home in Bennington from 4pm till 7pm on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023. A prayer service with Firefighter honors will be held on January 18th, 2023 at 10:15am at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home. Following the prayer service, a mass will be held at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Church, where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial and Military Honors will be held. If friends desire, contributions in memory of Michael Rupprecht may be made to the Sturgill Hospice House or to the Bennington Little League through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.