Michael "Mike" B. Lough

Michael Brian Lough, age 44, of Dorchester, formerly of Middleborough, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Boston.

Mike is mourned by his parents, Robert and Nancy Lough, his brother, James, his nephew, Elliot, his large extended family, the many people in his chosen family, his friends, and his colleagues at the Pine Street Inn.  Throughout his life, Mike was a warrior whose mission was to defend all those that society tries to ignore and cast away - the homeless, the junkies, the dreamers, the queers, the philosophers, and the rebels.

Mike was born on September 22, 1978 in Mount Kisco, New York.  He grew up mostly in Middleborough, and graduated from Coyle & Cassidy High School in 1996.  Mike joined the Air Force National Guard in 1998, while he was at Bridgewater State University.  He was placed on active duty on September 11, 2001 and deployed to Saudi Arabia in the Air Force Security Forces as part of Operation Southern Watch.  When he left active duty, he had achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He resumed his undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts, and later earned his BA from Bridgewater State.   He was known to complain that because of the numerous stops-and-starts to his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, he had taken more Shakespeare classes than any undergraduate should ever have to endure.

After earning his college degree, Mike held an impressive array of jobs, ranging from bar manager in New York City, to oyster harvester on the Cape, to recruiter of pharmaceutical executives, to caretaker of adults with disabilities.  Beginning in 2019, he worked for Boston’s largest homeless shelter, the Pine Street Inn, where he was on the outreach team that worked to find permanent housing for chronically homeless veterans.  Mike held this job during the COVID pandemic, serving as a frontline worker aiding the homeless.  Mike’s plan was to return to graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in social work.

Mike had endless curiosity and many passions.  His obsessions over time included BMX biking, archery, fishing, mixed martial arts, yoga, weight lifting, and CrossFit.  Above all, he loved music.  Mike recently recommitted to playing the electric guitar, a life-long passion of his.  He was a voracious reader and was fascinated by history and culture.  He was also a champion at speaking loudly and of calling people out.   He enjoyed political debates and was nearly unbeatable at Trivial Pursuit.

In the end, Mike will be remembered for his big heart, and the way he made people feel seen and heard.   He lived by the words of Eugene Debs, “While there is a lower class, I am in it, while there is a criminal element, I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free..." To be in Mike’s arms was to feel safe and deeply cared for, and he was never more sure of himself than when he was fighting to protect others.  But Mike’s battles left him with many wounds and scars, both mental and physical, and so now he has come to rest.  Mike would not want us to cry for him, he would ask us to turn up the music a little too loud and celebrate a life passionately lived.

Family and friends are welcome to the visiting hours at the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak Street, Middleborough, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

All are welcome to gather at the Ashley Funeral Home, Middleborough, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, starting at 10:15 AM, followed by his funeral Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Isidore Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 340 Centre Street, Middleborough, at 11:00 AM.

Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, 1 Connery Avenue, Bourne.

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