Michael Fedele

Michael Fedele passed away suddenly from natural causes on June 27th, 2022 at his home on the Upper East Side of New York City, which he shared with his soulmate of 25 years, Douglas C. Wurth.

Michael Fedele

Michael, and his younger brother Jason, were raised by their mother Dr. Maureen Thornby, in New York City, a place that shined within him through his style, curiosity, and respect for difference.  His pride in the City didn’t keep him local.  Empowered by a gift for languages and an ability to create community everywhere he went, he would reside in New Orleans, Paris, San Francisco, London, Biarritz, Miami, and New Canaan.  His wit, spark and keen ability to find the one place no one had ever heard about traveled faithfully with him; Michael was Michael wherever the vintage bags dropped.

His life was graced and enriched by the birth of his daughter Ariel, who gave him much happiness through her individuality and warmth, and their many summers and holidays shared. Together with her husband Dr. Andrew Scott, Ariel gave Michael the beautiful gift of his granddaughter Annabelle.  He became a dad at a very young age and was forever grateful for the continuous support and love Ariel received from her mother, Kattai Barrow.

Michael’s way of life was grounded in aesthetics – a belief in the moral obligation to celebrate, protect and create beauty and the arts in all its forms.  This was foretold early when he labored as a young school boy to study Latin and French, and later when he chose Tulane University to earn a degree in Art History.  It  showed again as a Member of the National Trust for Historic Preservations and a major supporter of PlayCo., an OBIE Award-winning international theatre production company.  And then most personally in the devotion with which he protected and magnified the magic of the New Canaan Bridge House.  Michael’s commitment to beauty was expansive in reach and empathetic in purpose.  He wanted the arts to thrive so we could be inspired, amazed, challenged and healed.

And then there was his kindness. He met you where you were, as you were, with a charm to lower your guard, and a wry remark to raise your spirits. Followed up so often by the unique gift or card you received one day or one month after the shortest or longest of encounters – whose meaning and warmth said to you: he heard my every word, even the ones I didn’t share.

Michael was only two days away from traveling to his beloved Basque country for his 17th summer in Biarritz, France.  This was his favorite place with Douglas, where he was a cherished local and a gracious host to visiting family and friends.  He loved its traditions, cuisine and festivals.   Though Michael mostly drew upon its beauty – the majestic Atlantic, the rolling farms, the colors in the sky, and the signature Basque doors.  And now he would ask the same of us. To pause and see the beauty within and around us; and when we fail to see it, to pursue acts of kindness to bring it into full relief.

“Let me live on your eyes and not on your mind. . .”  Merrit Malloy, from Epitaph

Service to be held at 1PM on Friday, July 8^th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan, Ct. Donations in lieu of flowers to National Trust for Historic Preservations and PlayCo.