Michael Popowski III, of Northfield, Vermont, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026. He was 83 years old.

A native of Northfield, Michael graduated from Northfield High School, went on to earn his degree from Georgetown University in 1964, and his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1967. Commissioned into the Army through ROTC, he served at Fort Benning, Fort Knox, and Panama before beginning a combat tour in Vietnam in 1969 as a captain with the 1st Infantry Division. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device and oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, the Vietnamese Honor Medal (First Class), and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Following his military service, Michael began his legal career in the Office of the Postmaster General in Washington, D.C., where he served as a liaison with Congress and the White House and helped secure passage of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, which created the United States Postal Service. He later served as Director of Employee and Labor Relations for the USPS in Eastern New England. In 1980, he established a private practice in Northfield and went on to serve as counsel to Norwich University for over 35 years, advising three university presidents. From 1981 to 1985, he also taught Business Law as a faculty member.

Norwich held a special place in Michael's heart, not merely as a client, but as an institution that reflected his own deepest values. A man of profound honor and integrity, he found in Norwich a kindred spirit, a place where duty, service, and character were not just ideals but a way of life. Those same qualities defined his decades of community service as Village of Northfield Moderator, Chairman of the School Board, a trustee of the Vermont Veterans' Home, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Northfield Senior Center. He was named Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), and Norwich University honored his lifetime of service by awarding him an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

To know Michael was also to know his quick wit and sharp sense of humor, a gift he shared generously and one that endeared him to everyone he met. He could disarm a room with a single line and leave people laughing long after he had moved on to the next one. He had a lifelong love of hunting, and was never happier than on the golf course or watching the thoroughbreds run at Saratoga. He was also a proud member of the Conversational Club, a fitting place for a man of such broad knowledge and genuine curiosity.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Susan; his three children, Carolan (Patrick) Dwyer, Nina (Dave Nelson) Tallon, and Michael Popowski; his brother, Jon Popowski; and five grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his sister, Nina Brignon.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 12th at Kingston Funeral Home in Northfield, Vermont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13th at St. John the Evangelist Church in Northfield, with a graveside service at Norwich University Cemetery at 11 a.m. and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's name to the Northfield Senior Center, 168 Wall Street, Northfield, Vermont 05663.