Niskayuna, NY - Michael J. Pitney, 27, died on Friday (April 20, 2018) at Plotter Kill Preserve, succumbing to a mental illness he could not overcome.

Michael was born in Niskayuna, NY on Jan. 16, 1991, the son of Kathleen M. Pitney and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jerome V. Pitney, Jr., of Saratoga Springs, NY. He attended Niskayuna schools and distinguished himself as an excellent student, artist, poet and basketball player. After graduating from Niskayuna High School in 2009, he studied at Northeastern University and then received as Associates Degree from Schenectady County Community College.

From an early age it was clear that Michael's passions were nature, travel, being outdoors and improving the environment. An avid fisherman and golfer, he discovered that hiking was his forte. After hiking with his mother in the Grand Canyon in 2010, he went on to scale all 46 of the Adirondack high peaks and others in New England. Between 2016 and 2017, he hiked 4660 miles of both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails and along the way produced an amazing photographic album and made countless new friends. His travels took him to Europe, across the US and through Alaska. As a big Red Sox fan, they also often took him to Fenway Park and to festivals where he enjoyed all kinds of music.

In addition to his mother, Michael is survived by his uncle William D. (Gail) Pitney of Saratoga Springs and his aunts Judith Pitney of Wilmington, NC and Margaret (John) Jordan of Marietta, SC.

Visitation will be held on Monday (Apr. 23, 2018) from 4 to 7pm at the Burke and Bussing Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

A Mass to celebrate Michael's life will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday (Apr. 24) in the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Michael's family wishes to offer special thanks to the members of the South Schenectady Fire Dept. and the Plotter Kill Volunteer Fire Co., who aided in the search and recovery efforts at Plotter Kill. Donations in Michael's memory may be made to either of these units or to Pitney Meadows Community Farm, of which Michael was a founding donor. Addresses for these are: South Schenectady Fire Dept., 6 Old Mariaville Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306, Plotter Kill Volunteer Fire Co., 3985 Putnam Rd., Schenectady, NY 12309 and Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 112 Spring St., Suite 109, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.