Obituary
The Honorable Michael E. Stafford, of Lake George, NY, and The Villages, FL, went home to his Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. He was 73.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Stafford. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy (Obarowski) Stafford; daughter, Jennifer Stafford (Elizabeth); stepsons: James Obarowski (Manon), Michael Obarowski, Chase Obarowski (Carrie); sisters: Jo Ann Stafford-Paige (Joe), Maureen Ledda (Gene), Mary Patricia Merrill, Kathleen Arnheiter (Tony); and many nieces and nephews.
Michael was a graduate of Lake George High School, SUNY Plattsburg, and Albany Law School. In law school he worked as Law Secretary for State Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Kahn until he was selected to become Deputy Secretary of State and Chief Council during the Pataki Administration
He left government work to return to private practice in Lake George and founded the law firm of Stafford, Carr and McNally. In 2003 he became Lake George Town Judge and remained passionate about it, until retiring in 2023. Michael was a compassionate Judge and well respected Lawyer who believed in his clients and fought hard for them with an unrelenting pursuit of justice.
Despite all of his accomplishments Michael will be most remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father. Michael enjoyed his leisure time on his boats and as a third generation member of the Glens Falls Country Club. In The Villages he was a member of The Villages Parrothead Club, an avid golfer and loved socializing with his many friends.
A Celebration of Life and inurnment will take place on May 11, 2024 11:00 AM at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, FL. There will also be a celebration at the Glens Falls Country Club at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Cornerstone Hospice, 601 Mariposa Way, The Villages, FL 32162 or New Covenant United Methodist Church, 3470 Woodridge Dr., The Villages, FL 32162 for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast or Helping Hands Ministry. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.
Michael and Nancy in the Holy Land with friends walking in Jesus' footsteps. Picture taken on the Temple Mount with The Dome of the Rock in the back ground. This was an amazing life changing experience where all 24 of us bonded and we really got know Michael and the amazing, loving, kind, caring, generous, and humble man he was. I belive we will see him again in Heaven. In the meantime he will be with Jesus and our friend Joe.