Michael Howard Stenger

Michael was born in Syracuse, NY, on July 18, 1970. He grew up in Marcellus, NY, graduating from Marcellus High School in 1988. Michael was a lifelong student. He obtained an Associate of Science from the State University of New York at Alfred (1991), a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the State University of New York at Brockport (1994), where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, a Master of Education in Organizational Management from Endicott College in Beverly, MA (2005), a certificate in Genealogical Principles at Boston University (2020), and, most recently, a Master of Arts in History from Southern New Hampshire University (2024), for which he researched and wrote a master’s thesis entitled “Mist and Myth at Gettysburg: Captain Samuel R. Johnston’s Reconnaissance and Its Strategic Repercussions: A Study of Historical Memory and Tactical Miscalculations.”

Michael lived in Vancouver, WA, for a few years where he pursued his love for the outdoors, mountain-climbing, camping, and skiing. When the Pandemic descended on us, he packed up and drove back across the country, narrating an online travelogue of all the historic sites and natural wonders he visited along the way. He landed in New Bern where he has spent much quality time with his parents the past few years, becoming their head chef, trying but never succeeding in beating his mother at Wheel of Fortune, and baking the annual Christmas Stolen.

He worked for many years in higher education, was a popular bartender at The Bruin in New Bern, and was teaching American History and World Civilization at Craven Community College in Havelock, NC, where he recently was nominated for a teaching award. On Constitution Day 2024, he lectured at Tryon Palace in New Bern.

Michael was the family genealogist. When he died, he was writing a work of historical fiction, weaving family members from the Sigourney line into pre-Revolution Boston events. On a recent visit to Thailand, he sought out the grave of and wrote about Marcellus hometown hero Dan Bradley. In a nod to his Scottish heritage, Michael took his kilt-wearing very seriously, and hosted several New Bern Robert Burns suppers, presenting the haggis and reciting poetry.

Michael was a proud Freemason, having been raised to Master Mason in King Solomon’s Lodge in Somerville, Massachusetts, and was a member of Saint John’s Lodge No. 3 in New Bern.

Michael traveled for several years with the international organization Up With People, first as a cast-member and then as a staff-member, singing and dancing and promoting peace and understanding through cultural exchange. His large network of friends from that time was very dear to him. He could greet people in at least twenty languages, which was a great icebreaker wherever he went.

The world was a stage for Michael. Throughout his life, he acted in plays, sang in choirs and bands, had stories to share, and never said no to an available microphone. During the past few years, he joined the New Bern Civic Theatre, playing Gomez Addams in “The Addams Family” and Vince Fontaine in “Grease,” and he was recently rehearsing for his role in the upcoming “Calendar Girls.”

Michael was passionate in everything he did. He was an animated storyteller. He always dressed for the occasion. He was empathetic and compassionate and he expressed his emotions and his love for family and friends freely and frequently. His standard goodbye was a hug with the words “I love you, my friend.”

Michael and his adored partner, Danielle Peoples, shared many fun adventures together, hosted the best theme parties, enjoyed their innumerable New Bern friends, supported each other in life, and took many long walks with their gorgeous, rambunctious, lovable, photogenic dog Norman.

Michael is survived by his parents, Samuel and Jane Sigourney Stenger of New Bern, NC, his sister Susan Elizabeth Stenger of Boston, MA, his sister Cynthia Stenger Stockstill and her husband Eric of Tallahassee, FL, his three beloved nephews Samuel Roy Stockstill and wife Lauren Vance of Lexington, VA, Luke Oscar Stockstill of Falls Church, VA, and Charles Allen Stockstill of Tallahassee, FL, and Michael’s adorable twin grandniece and grandnephew Eleanor Catherine Stockstill and William Vance Stockstill of Lexington, VA, as well as many loved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Michael was predeceased by his sister Tracy Leigh Stenger, his maternal grandparents James and Edna Sigourney of Syracuse, NY, and by his paternal grandparents Samuel and Florence Stenger of Skaneateles, NY.

There will be a celebration of Michael’s life on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 New Street, New Bern, North Carolina, with a reception to follow. The service will be available online; this site will be updated with the link.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Michael Howard Stenger.

The service will be live-streamed on the Facebook page of Centenary United Methodist Church at 11 a.m., and will remain on the Church's Facebook page all day.