Obituary of Michael P. Tancredi

Michael Peter Tancredi of Hunter, NY passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2024 surrounded by family and friends.

Michael was born on November 10, 1952 in White Plains, NY to Phyllis and Frederick Tancredi.

A graduate of White Plains High School, Michael went on to attend Chamberlayne Junior College in Boston, MA on a hockey scholarship.

After college Michael became a contract truckman for Morgan Brothers Moving Co in Yorkville Manhattan. He traveled cross country for 3 years and often times was accompanied by friends.

Having been raised in a family of restauranteurs, Michael decided to change careers and attend the New York Restaurant School where he pursued a degree in the Culinary Arts.

Michael’s love of the outdoors, in particular downhill skiing, is what led him to Hunter, NY in 1985. While living in Hunter he owned and operated multiple restaurants. He is most well-known for Tequillas. Michael along with his business partner, the late Steve Steiner of Lawrence, NY were the dynamic duo behind the success of Tequillas. From the best Tex-Mex on the mountain top, to the Warren Miller ski videos, the trail map covered walls, shot skis, ring game to some of the most eclectic live music around, Tequillas was the place to be, especially for the dedicated ski crowd.

Tequillas is where Michael met Anne Maturi of Staten Island, NY, his wife and ski partner for over 30 years. Michael and Anne made Hunter their home and raised two sons Michael and Luke.

Always the optimist, Michael pursued his political calling and was elected trustee in the Village of Hunter for 7 terms. He helped shepherd 33 million dollars of infrastructure into the Village. This included Dolans Lake Park, a new highway garage, water supply system and most importantly a municipal sewer system.

After retiring from the restaurant business, Michael went on to develop High Peak Landscapes. His creative skills with hard and soft scape can be viewed at multiple properties on and off the mountain top.

Michael’s happiest moments were spent with his family and friends at home around his kitchen table. He would spend hours prepping and cooking, while always including mirepoix and love in his recipes. He believed cooking was an extension of one’s love to all that gathered.

Most of his hobbies centered around the outdoor experience with his family and friends along for the adventure. From hiking the Catskill and Adirondack High Peaks, to fishing salmon in Alaska, or trout on the Battenkill River, his story runs deep. From skiing the North East sugar, to the deep powder of the West, fun was forever on Michael’s menu. He often reminded his sons to work hard, but not let work consume them.

This past year Michael proved once again that anyone can reinvent themselves at any given time. He tried his skills at real estate. His first day in the office he listed and found a buyer for one property and then went on to complete additional transactions this past January.

Michael did life his way. He projected positivity daily, even over this past year. A quote by Robert Frost describes Michael perfectly. “Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself”.

Michael is survived by his wife Anne Maturi Tancredi, his two sons Michael Tancredi and Luke Tancredi, his sister Barbara Tancredi of West Harrison, NY and his three nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 12-2pm at Decker Funeral Home, 5312 Main Street, Windham.

In lieu of flowers the Tancredi family suggests making a donation in Michael’s name to the Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville, NY. (MTARBORETUM.ORG)