Michael John Dye was born May 7, 1965, in Yonkers, New York to the parents of Johnny and Martha Dye. He was the second of three children and the only son.
He was baptized at an early age at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in New Haven, Connecticut.
Michael attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and graduated from Eli Whitney Technical High School where he majored in Culinary Arts. As a student at Eli Whitney, he earned varsity letters for track (1980 – 1983) and cross country (1981 – 1983).
After graduation from high school, Michael was employed at Macy’s Department Store in New Haven as a sous chef.
He received his associate degree from South Central Community College and later was employed as a Counselor working with at risk children.
In the mid 90’s, Michael moved to Astoria Queens, New York where he worked at the T Salon in Manhattan, New York. While living and working in New York, he took classes at Bank Street College. He would later join the New York City Police Department in 1999, and was promoted to detective in July of 2005.
Michael became a proud member of the Kappa Psi Kappa Fraternity Inc., Noble Nu Chapter in Winter of 2016.
In 2018, Michael was diagnosed with glioblastoma (stage 4 brain cancer) as a result of being one of many first responders on the attack of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his parents Martha and Johnny Dye; sisters, Nancy and Karen Dye; nieces, Brittany Dye, Kashera Booker, Octivia Booker and Aja-Kiara Dye; nephews, Lawrence Williamson, Forrest Booker and Sean Daniel; one godson, Jordan McCollum; 2 godsisters, Rev. Cicely Little and Alonda Bailey; 4 aunts, Alice Anderson (Columbus, OH), Marie Jackson (Maplewood,NJ), Inez Tucker (Petersburg, VA) and Vera Walton (Yonkers, NY); 3 uncles, Clarence, Melvin and Hodges Walton (Yonkers, NY); close friend, Steven Gordon; and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held Tues. April 13, 2021 at 11 A.M at Trinity Temple Church, 285 Dixwell Ave. New Haven,CT 06511. Calling Hours 9 A.M until time of service. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Services of comfort entrusted to McClam Funeral Home, 95 Dixwell Ave. New Haven,CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Dye family, please visit www.mcclamfuneralhome.net
Remember how these heroes were kicked to the curb when they started to get sick after the exposure to toxic debris in NYC? They rushed in; heedless of danger to themselves, to try to save lives.
Insurance companies denied them coverage and tried to deny that they were sick from NYC service. These are the same companies bailed out in 2008 and through COVID---
God Rest the Soul of Mr. Dye----some may have forgotten but many have not and are eternally grateful for your true courage and service.