Michael Robert Gingras

May 18, 1986 -

Nov 1, 2021

On Nov. 1, 2021, Michael Robert Gingras died unexpectedly, at the age of 35, in Tucson, Ariz. Michael was born in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 18, 1986. Until college, he obtained all his education in Anchorage, and graduated from East High School in 2004. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, with high honors, from the Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, N.Y., in 2008. Michael then attended the School of Dentistry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore. He graduated from that institution with a Doctor of Medicine in dentistry degree in June 2012. From there, Michael went to work as a dentist for the Mariposa Community Health Center (MCHC) in Nogales, Ariz.

While working for MCHC, Michael devoted his time, skills and energy to the underserved population in the Nogales area. He particularly enjoyed caring for children. During his career there, he happily achieved some degree of skill in Spanish. Dr. John Betz, the Chief Dental Officer at MCHC, was Michael's colleague and mentor. Of Michael, Dr. Betz wrote: "I am so deeply sorry for your loss of a fine gentleman, a giver of himself, a man with a sense of humor, a stellar mind, an avid golfer and a caring individual. His kindness has been felt by so many patients and staff. Michael's passing was too soon in life. He is missed and will continually be missed."

Michael started golf lessons at an early age in Anchorage. Golf became a lifelong passion for him and, as an adult, he would travel to distant lands to golf with his friends. He was a man with varied interests. He loved music and played the piano, upright and electronic keyboard. Michael played both for his own pleasure and the pleasure of others. He loved sports as a participant and as a spectator. In his younger years, he played baseball, basketball and hockey, on an amateur level. Michael enjoyed NFL football and NHL hockey as a spectator. Although he went to Arizona Cardinal games, he was a longtime fan of the Minnesota Vikings. Probably as a result of attending school in Rochester, N.Y., he became an avid fan of the Buffalo Sabres.

Michael loved travel, especially the annual trips to Homer, Alaska, on Labor Day to celebrate with family and friends. He also loved movies, reading and gaming. Last, but not least, he often participated in charitable works in Tucson with the Men's Active 20-30 Club of Tucson. He was a gifted man of many talents who was loved by all who knew him well.

Michael is survived by his fiancee, Caitlyn Stephenson; parents, Tom and Peggy Gingras; and siblings, Rachel Gingras and Daniel Gingras. He is also survived by his grandmother, Marianne Wills; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Michael loved animals and rescued many dogs and cats. Accordingly, in lieu of flowers, Michael's family respectfully requests that any donations be made to your local ASPCA.