Michael D. Treffiletti

Clifton Park, NY-Michael D. Treffiletti, a cherished son, brother, father and baseball coach, departed from this world on 11/28/2023, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, selflessness, and service to his community. Born on July 14, 1945 in Waco, Texas, to Carmen and Victoria Treffiletti (Bernino), Michael touched the lives of those around him with honesty, integrity, and his unique blend of stoicism and childish humor. Michael grew up in Albany, New York as the son of an impassioned Italian grocer and his adoring wife. Michael attended the Vincentian Institute (V.I.) of Albany and he would later brag for decades of all the home runs he hit on the school baseball team. He hit none. Ever. He later served in the United States Army Reserves and graduated from Siena College with a degree in Economics. A lifelong resident of Albany and Clifton Park, Michael dedicated his life to mentoring his sons, their friends and the youth of his community through sports. While Michael coached basketball for many years, he left his mark as the baseball coach and league commissioner of the Clifton Park Baseball League. In the late 1980’s, Michael and a group of coaches and families broke ground at what would later be known as the Clifton Commons sports complex. They built eight baseball fields with Michael’s effort, attention to detail, landscaping passion, and humor leading the way. Two decades later, the largest and most beautiful field in the complex would officially be named, “The Mike Treffiletti Field.” Using unique strategies such as grilling hot dogs and hamburgers during practice for his players, and teaching kids that they should never try to hit home runs, only line drive doubles, his infectious personality and love of the game brought him the endearing title of “Coach T” by his hundreds of former players and assistant coaches. Near the end of his life, he proclaimed the greatest of all his life’s accomplishments: Holding the all-time Clifton Park, New York record for the number of high-fives given and received. He earned this honor over the span of his 25 years coaching and working on the fields for Elnora Mohawk and then Clifton Park Baseball. Aside from the dozens of championship teams and all-star teams he coached, his efforts to keep the fields beautiful and well maintained earned his field the distinction of twice hosting the Babe Ruth World Series, and leaving Coach T as the head coach for both world series host teams. Professionally, Michael excelled as a Financial Consultant for 40 years, leaving a unique mark on the industry. His passion for analyzing numbers and trends, his work ethic and commitment to excellence inspired colleagues and earned him the respect of peers as well as numerous industry benchmarks and awards. Beyond the workplace and the ballfields, Michael had a passion for landscaping, illustration, poetry, and Sunday pasta dinners with his friends and family. His sketches of Santa Claus and his childish jokes brought smiles to the younger siblings of all his ballplayers. Michael earned numerous awards in the community to which he served, including: 1993 Babe Ruth Baseball New York State Regional Tournament- Head Coach and Groundskeeper. 1996 Capital District YMCA Century Club Award for generous support of service to young people. 1997 Babe Ruth Baseball League World Series- Head Coach and Groundskeeper. 1999 Babe Ruth Baseball League World Series- Head Coach and Groundskeeper. 2003 Town of Clifton Park’s 175th Anniversary Honor Roll in recognition of outstanding citizenship. 2006 Big Brother of the Year for the Capital Region of New York State, by the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America Organization. Michael is survived by his brothers Joseph and Eugene, his beloved sister Victoria, sons Joseph (Aimee), Michael (Kasey) and Steven (Elaine), and his grandchildren Sabrina, Cameron, Carmen, Lena and Victoria, who will hold their “Pop” in their hearts. Michael is survived by his three nephews and his niece, Claire who became a mom this week. Michael loved his cousins dearly. He took pride in knowing they looked up to him as a source of strength and reliability. Michael was preceded in death by his dearest friends, Ella Jane Ketchum and Dylan Spencer, and cousins Regina and Joey Treffiletti. In this time of grief, let us remember Michael for the laughter he shared, the community he served, the lives he touched, and the tens of thousands of high-fives he inspired. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Michael’s family Tuesday, December 5, 2023 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Parish of Mater Church, 40, Hopewell Street, Albany, NY 12208. His Funeral Mass will then be celebrated at 12:00 pm. The Rite of Committal will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery, immediately following the Mass. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, NY in his honor. May Michael’s legacy continue to inspire and bring comfort to those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Tributes

Michael D. Treffiletti

July 14, 1945 - November 28, 2023