Michael A. Aia, age 87, a resident of Stormville, NY since 1967 and previously of Boston, MA, Towanda, PA, Bayside Queens, NY, and Manhattan, NY, passed on September 6, 2021. Born on October 13, 1933, in East Boston, MA, to Michele and Maria (Umana) Aia. He was the youngest survivor of seven brothers; Joseph, Nunzio Francesco (Frank), John, Alfred, Salvatore, and Vincenzo Aia. Married to Bette J. Silva on December 10, 1954, for 66 years, whom he had known since the second grade, predeceased him on February 26, 2021.

Michael was a successful, dedicated, hard-working scholar, husband, father, and grandfather. A strong personality with a generous nature who also supported his mother-in-law and nephew during tough times. He graduated from East Boston High School as class valedictorian, then attended Northeastern University, where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering while enlisted in the US Army ROTC program. He was Honorably Discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later, he earned a Master's Degree at Queens College while working full time for Sylvania/General Telephone and Electronics (GTE). He was the author of several patents during this time, which focused on color TV/fluorescent lighting phosphors, battery technology, and gas lasers. Following that, he held several engineering management positions with IBM, some of which were involved with design and build of the first fully automated semiconductor processing facility (Future Manufacturing Systems), and development of the first ion implanters used for product performance innovations (Division Award). Towards the end of his career, he received an Outstanding Achievement Award in Productivity Improvement from the United States Senate while directing activity at the IBM Manufacturing Technology Institute.

Michael dearly loved his immediate family and in-laws, whom he frequented with as often as possible on many memorable occasions.

He is deeply missed and survived by his loving family members; son Steven Aia and companion Christine Castelli, granddaughter Nicole Golden and husband Sam Golden, granddaughter Corinne Paine and husband Tyler Paine, Claire Sousa and husband Robert Sousa, Malcolm Silva and companion Cathlene Jones, George Silva and wife Mary Silva, John Banks Sr., Janet Silva, and Mary Ellen Aia, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Predeceased are his mother Maria Umana Aia, Father Michele Aia, brothers Joseph, Nunzio Francesco (Frank), John, Alfred, Salvatore, and Vincenzo Aia, mother-in-law Edith Silva, father-in-law Joseph Silva, sister-in-law Lorraine and husband Leo Barry, sister-in-law Joan and husband George Bishop, sister-in-law Carole Banks and brother-in-law John Silva, and sister-in-law Carol Silva. Sadly, we recently lost Michael's nephew Kenneth Banks.

Michael's last concerns were that people should make efforts to be more politically, environmentally, socially, and economically decent towards each other to resolve the issues facing our world.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Michael's favorite charities:

• American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults https://www.actionfund.org/
• Paralyzed Veterans of America https://pva.org/
• St. Labre Indian School https://www.stlabre.org/
• Stormville Fire Company https://stormvillefire.org/
• Arbor Day Foundation https://www.arborday.org/

Please visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.