Bliss, Michael D. died peacefully in Concord, MA on August 31 ^st , 2018. Born in Philadelphia, PA on March 28 ^th , 1940, he grew up on Long Island and joined the US Marine Corps Reserve after high school. In 1962 Michael graduated Dartmouth College, kicking off a lifetime pursuit of further education. Earning his Master's Degree in English Literature from Claremont Graduate University, Michael also received a PhD from Harvard University, a law degree from Boston University, and until his death, was attending classes at Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement.

In 1969 Michael married Corinne Demas and the couple lived in Pittsburgh where he taught in the English Department at Carnegie Mellon University. In 1971 they had their only child, Austin, and later divorced. While living and teaching in Pittsburgh, Michael started a mail order specialty garden book business called Three Rivers Garden Books.

Michael met Susan Harvey, originally from England, in Pittsburgh. They were married and moved to Natick, MA in 1983 where they raised two boys, Nicholas H. Bliss of Natick, MA and Christopher J. Bliss of Houston, TX. Admitted to the bar in 1981, Michael practiced at Choate, Hall, and Stewart and later struck out on his own starting Connors and Bliss, specializing in land use and environmental law. In 2011 Michael and Sue moved to the Five Fields neighborhood of Lexington, MA and last year moved to Newbury Court in Concord, MA.

Michael's passion and drive for learning was matched in any field to which he turned his attention. An avid gardener he turned the ¾ acre lot around his Lexington home into a canvas for his many inspirations; flowing meadows of coastal New England, rock gardens of Kyoto, and manicured English roses. His appreciation for aesthetics can be seen in the homes he lived in and furnished, a Second Empire Victorian and a mid-century modern inspired home, The Bogen House.

He will be remembered as a welcoming and passionate man, with a sharp mind and kind heart. He will be sorely missed by his beloved wife Susan H. Bliss, their children Nicholas and Christopher, his ex-wife Corinne and their son Austin, the children's spouses Leah Bliss, Lisa Bliss, and Gary Van Deurse, sister Annie Bliss and partner Thomas S. Ickovic, five grandchildren, step-relatives, and beloved friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30am with calling hour from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday, September 7 ^th , at the Douglas Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd., Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society.