W. Michael Losinger

ALBANY – W. Michael Losinger, 72, died suddenly Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at home.  Born in Elmira, NY, Mike was a graduate of Southside High School and then the University of Tulsa; he received a Masters in Divinity at Colgate Rochester Divinity School.  Mike had a long and varied career: as Youth Director in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and later, Assistant to Bishop Robert Spears, Jr., as an administrator in City of Rochester government, as Monroe County Commissioner of Elections, as Deputy Director of the State Office of Business Permits, Executive Deputy Director at the State Board of Elections, and Deputy Commissioner for Operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles. In all his roles, his history was one of political activism and community organizing in the pursuit of justice. One of his proudest achievements was being among the first of those arrested in Rochester protesting the Vietnam War. Most meaningful to Mike was his founding and support of the Damien Centers in the Capital District, drop-in centers for persons living with AIDS, and his creation of the AIDS Care Team in conjunction with Eddy Visiting Nurse Association.

Mike is survived by his spouse of 32 years, Robert Englert, and his sisters:  Jo Ann Losinger of Pittsfield, MA, Sharon Thompson (Bruce) of Oklahoma, and Susan Odegard (Philip) of Vermont as well as a wide community of friends – an extended circle of family by love and choice.

A memorial Eucharist of Thanksgiving celebrating Mike’s gifts to all of us will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Blvd, Albany on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 1:30.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3278) or the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester (935 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607) or the LGBT Ministries of the Episcopal Dioceses of Nicaragua and El Salvador, in care of the Diocese of Maine (143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101). To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.