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Michael Selig Obituary
SELIG MICHAEL A. SELIG Michael Alfred Selig, former Director of Engineering at NORESCO located in Fairfax, VA and headquartered in Westborough, MA, died on February 22, 2011 after a long and demanding battle with metastatic cancer. He was 55 years old. Born in Vienna, Austria, the eldest child of Austrian parents, Mr. Selig's family immigrated to Irving, Texas in 1959. After achieving U.S. citizenship, with siblings, Nicki and Martin, the family moved back to Europe for several years. This relocation enabled Mr. Selig to develop a deep and lasting appreciation and aptitude for foreign languages, customs, cuisine, and culture that always remained with him. Mr. Selig earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1977, whereupon he immediately established his career path in the advancement of energy efficiency and renewable energy. His employment was always centered on efficiency improvements in existing processes and buildings, and technological developments in new and renewable energy concepts. Known as a strong organizer and leader who naturally motivated and inspired those around him, Mr. Selig regularly explored new activities, sports, and challenges. He established a model rocketry club when very young. He led an adult recreational soccer team, played bass in a string band, and coached his children's soccer teams. He was an avid skier, windsurfer and paraglider. His free time was spent motorcycling, camping, brewing beer, playing chess and bridge and gardening. While Mr. Selig was a very hard worker in his career, he was also very adamant about striking a balance between his professional and personal lives. His greatest joy was his wife, Elizabeth, and his children, Michael and Alex. He was a family man who loved most of all to take his family to far-away destinations where his children would be exposed to foreign languages and food (not infrequently to the land of his children's Selig heritage - Austria). Mr. Selig is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Willingham and children, Michael and Alexandra Selig of Arlington, VA; his parents, Franz and Marianne Selig of Vienna, Austria; his brother, Martin Selig of Boston, MA, and his sister, Nicola Kim of Little Rock, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Solar Electric Light Fund, 1612 K Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20006 (www.self.org) or purchase REC's or SREC's from your local utility or travel service provider. The Selig family welcomes friends at their home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Selig
Peter Dourmashkin
February 17, 2024
Bill, Jim and I spent an evening together at the bridge table for the first time in many years. We all remembered Michael, a talented and joyful person, and missed his presence.
Peter Dourmashkin
February 17, 2021
Michael was totally ahead of the game as a energy engineering consultant. After many years we revived our bridge group of which he was a fun loving member. I can also still hear his play of Scott Joplin when he wasn't playing cards, just the piano.
Maureen Casey
March 6, 2011
Bet - I am very sorry to hear about Michael. I hope you and your family find comfort in those around you both near and far. A smile comes when I think about the fun times we all had together way back when. Peace and Love to you.
Allison LaClaire
March 5, 2011
Our hearts are heavy this day as we view the soccer field of life with one key player missing. Michael brought people together, creating Dorchester Limited that led me to meet my husband, and creating a fun atmosphere for us to enjoy life (soccer, food, skiing, music, etc). His love of life has been infectious. Bet, Martin, we join you in our great loss but, hopefully, buoy ourselves up in wonderful memories and in keeping Michael's strong spirit within our hearts.
Ernst L. Breyer
March 5, 2011
Liebe Familie Selig!
Wir hatten leider nur kurz Gelegenheit, Michael Selig zu begegnen. In vielen Gesprächen mit seinen Eltern konnten wir aber teilhaben am schweren Leiden ihres Sohnes und an der ungebrochenen Kraft, mit der er um seine Genesung kämpfte. Wir sind betroffen darüber, daß er diesen Kampf hier auf Erden verloren hat, finden aber Trost in der Überzeugung, daß er sein irdisches Schicksal gegen ein unvergleichlich besseres getauscht hat und es irgendwann ein Wiedersehen geben wird. Möge allen Trauernden viel Kraft zur Erduldung dieses schweren Schicksalsschlages geschenkt sein!
Ilse und Ernst Breyer
Cindy Loring
March 4, 2011
Oh Bet, I am so sorry. I have fond memories of times together...charades, authentic goulash, tequila shots at Frog Lane. I will keep you close to my heart and in my thoughts.
Jennifer Paul
March 3, 2011
Michael was the most fun-loving, worldly, passionate, creative and multi-talented person I have ever known. He had a wicked sense of humor and an infectious yet subdued chuckle. We used to toast the Boston sunsets with yellow Russian vodka (which he said was that color because of bison urine), close the Irish pub down on St. Patty's day, and wallow in the music of Bach. Once he took me for a ride on "Boris"on Storrow Drive and I lost a shoe. He did so love to live his life to the fullest, and as fast as possible! I've never been on a motorcycle since. I was so fortunate to know Michael, and will miss him terribly. My sincere condolences to Bet, his children and family.
March 1, 2011
So sorry to hear that such a great Man has passed away. He was full of life and I am sure many will miss him!
Noresco Employee.
Jim Stubbe
February 28, 2011
Bet, Martin, and Nicki,
Happy memories that made Michael, Michael - forever stuck in time . . . .
• Before we all had cars, playing bridge past the last subway knowing that we’d be up all night until the first subway
• Cosmic wipe out of the day
• Cats and birds living together in the same apartment, why can’t that work?
• The devilish look he got when he was teasing
• More home brew than we could ever consume
• Having me pull his dislocated shoulder back into place so we could keep playing tennis
• Driving his moped from Beacon Hill to Brighton in a blizzard and using his feet as outriggers
• And thinking that was a smart thing to do
• The way he would grunt/frown when someone said something to change his full speed ahead thinking
• Sitting in the front yard in Deering on a gorgeous fall day trying to throw acorns into each other’s glasses
• The way he reveled at the challenges in life
• His passion for just about everything
• His fierce competitiveness
• Michael, Carl, Ron, and Martin playing music like Paradise around the fire in Deering:
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
Thinking of you all.
Jim
Christa Steffek-Hoffmann
February 27, 2011
February 27, 2011
I am so sorry to hear that Michael has died. It is a necessity to express my deepest sympathy to you, Elizabeth, and your children.
Love Christa from Vienna
Bill Kessel
February 26, 2011
Michael was a huge part of my life when he was in Boston, and I miss him very much. You have my deepest sympathy, Bet.
February 26, 2011
Unsere Familie trauert mit Euch um Eueren lieben Michael, der Euch verlassen musste, weil sein Leiden zu groß war. Wie schwer das Leben für Euchg alle war, können wir zwar ermessen, aber Trostworte zu diesem schweren Verlust findet man leider viel zu wenige, - denn Michael war einamlig. Wir denken in Liebe an Euch. Seid zu Eurem großen Schmerz innigst umarmt, Eure Mimi, Evi und Walter,
Auch wir möchten Euch unser tiefstes Mitgefühl aussprechen und denken fest an Euch alle, Andrea und Chrisrian, Hannah und Sarah
February 25, 2011
Dear Bet, Michael and Alex,
Deepest sympathy to all of you. I am so sorry I am not able to be with you. What an incredible man with so many accomplishments. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Much love, Sheri
Hildegard+Peter Ganz
February 25, 2011
Wir trauern mit Euch allen zusammen und bleiben Bet und ihrer grossen Familie freundschaftlich verbunden.
Hildegard und Peter Ganz, Switzerland
Henry Eggert
February 25, 2011
It saddens me to learn of Michael's parting. I enjoyed the pleasure of having worked with Michael at Shooshanian Eng in Boston for several years and found his management of the Energy Dept to be exemplary. Ialso remember the occasions when he and his family skied with me in the Berkshires. He will leave a void. I hope that he did not suffer much.
Peter Dourmashkin
February 25, 2011
Michael was a very special person and so talented: I can still hear him play Scarlatti on the piano. My best wishes to his family.
Elizabeth Harrison
February 25, 2011
Even as a young child I could tell that my uncle was a man of extreme intelligence and ingenuity. Such an amazing man. He will be missed dearly. Love to my family, especially Aunt Bet, Michael, and Alex.
Chas McGovern
February 24, 2011
Michael was a man who was a joy to be around. He really lived life and was always interesting to and interested in his friends. I will miss him. My condolences to you, Bet.
Harold Sims
February 24, 2011
Michael was a great guy and my friend. I will miss him.
February 24, 2011
Dear Martin, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I know you have great memories growing up. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Ann Mottola
February 24, 2011
Dear Martin: so sorry to hear this sad news about your brother. Deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Sincerely
Fred
Doris Regal
February 24, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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