Michael Pushkin was born on September 29,1947 in the Bronx, New York.
He went to the Bronx High School of Science and then to Hunter College, where he received a degree in Psychology.
He enjoyed a winter in Minnesota followed by a brief time in Berkeley, California.
He then moved to upstate New York where he enhanced his leather skills and started Tinker Hill Leather.
Michael moved to Berkeley Springs in 1976 and became a member of the arts community. He was an active member of Morgan Arts Community and later he became a founding member of the Ice House Gallery.
In the 1980’s Michael connected with the fashion movement in New York.
Several years later he began working with metallic and embossed leather, designing high fashion bags and clothing.
Michael traveled throughout the country selling his artwork at craft shows and in galleries until 1997 when he began studying massage therapy.
Michael was an extraordinary healing massage therapist who offered pain relief to clients for the past twenty-five years.
His Able Body Wellness office was filled with art and great music.
He had a vast array of techniques which included orthopedic massage, alignment, adjustments, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy.
Michael had many passions including Tai Chi.
He practiced Tai Chi for thirty years and taught classes at Coolfont and then at the Ice House in Berkeley Springs.
Michael loved music, especially jazz. This passion developed in the Village in New York during his late teens and continued throughout his life.
In 1986 Michael’s love of music lead him to exhibit his leather at a craft show during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This was followed by thirty years of dedicated festival attendance.
Michael’s time in New Orleans deepened his appreciation of varied cuisine. He was a wonderful chef and quite the culinary researcher.
Michael loved to travel, he enjoyed nature and was always up for a hike. His last European adventure fulfilled his desire to hike the Alps.
Michael was kind, loving and funny, and as he would say – clever/funny.
Michael cherished his family, Sandy Kay, wife/partner of 43 years, daughter, Annie Miller (Pete), son, Jeremy Schneider (Dana), and Daughter, Jenny Schneider (Matt).
Michael was delighted with his grandchildren, and they adored him – Olive 14, Sylvia 11, Avi 5 and Zevi 1.
We will miss him.