Michael Dennis Prior

February 3, 2023

Friday, February 3, 2023 Michael Dennis Prior, sweetheart and best friend to his wife of 55 years, Susan Dillon Prior. Also survived by his daughter and loving caregiver Kathleen Ann Prior and his grandson, Joshua Michael Prior.

Mr. Prior was born June 12, 1942 in Wallingford, son of the late John F. Prior and Josephine (Canelli) Prior. Predeceased by his sister, Ann Penelope Hammerstrom and his brother Charles Hugh Prior.

He was a graduate of Lyman Hall and New Haven College and worked as a manager in marketing for SNET for 38 years. He was one of the first to successfully trial working from home. Mike loved his home and puttering in his workshop, often with his daughter, Kate, hot wheeling around the cellar and in later years with his grandson, Josh, as his helper.

Mike was active in the Jaycees early in marriage, and the Guilford Keeping Society, co-chairing the annual Antique Festival for several years. He was also active in the volunteer Red Cross Emergency unit. He read three papers from front to back every day for many years, which made him the guy you wanted on your Trivial Pursuit team. Mike also volunteered for the Interfaith Ministries delivering for Meals on Wheels and Books.

He was the outgoing half of the their marriage until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, after which he became more reclusive. He did however, enjoy several years of Parkinson’s Dance class and the people in it. He also enjoyed picnics in the summer, meals out in the winter, and hunts for the best ice cream in the State of CT with Sue’s cousin George. George was very kind and a great motivator in getting Mike up and out.

Mike was devoted to his wife and family. As William Wordsworth wrote, “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” That was Michael Prior.

Friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, February 13 from 4 – 7 pm at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Burial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HCP Community Healthcare & Hospice, 753 Boston Post Rd, Suite 200, Guilford, CT 06437; https:// www.ynhhs.org/homehealthcare/about/giving/ hcp-community

To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome. com