Michael "Mike" Emil Losa, Sr., 72, of Ghent and Chatham, NY passed away on October 26, 2015 at home after a long battle with cancer.  He was born November 4, 1942 and was the son of the late Emil and Loretta Losa of Ghent, NY.  He was a 1961 Chatham High School graduate and a 1963 graduate of Cobleskill College.  Mike faced his diagnoses one year and six months ago with amazing strength and acceptance.  He honestly never complained and fought his battle with cancer with every ounce of determination and courage he had.  Mike had a sign in his office that read, "It is what it is" a common saying of his that meant more to everyone with his diagnoses.  He often said, "I have lived my life.  It's the little kids that get cancer that tears my heart out."  He leaves behind his loving and devoted partner and best friend of 36 years, Betsy (Hodge) Kneller of Chatham, NY; daughter Ellen Losa Dykeman and husband Robert of Craryville, NY; son Michael Emil Losa, Jr. and wife Maria of Union, NJ; Stepsons Philip Kneller and wife Ronwyn of Westport, NY, Kirk Kneller and wife Susan of Ghent, NY, and Richard Kneller and wife Carrie of Ghent, NY.  He is also survived by his brother Charles Losa and wife Suzanne of Coxsackie, NY and nephew Marc Losa and niece Melinda Rowley.  He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Chase and Paige Dykeman, Matthew Losa, Brooke, Lauren, Daniel, Philip John, Gabriel and Tyler Kneller.  He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Ruby. Mike's career highlights included working for Associated Milk, Hudson Valley Cement, Mobil Oil, Columbia Boxboard, owning his own business, Losa Trucking and the Town of Ghent Highway Supervisor starting in 2002 from which he retired from in 2014.  He also served as Forman for the DPW Town of Chatham after retiring from the Town of Ghent. Mike was a 50 year member of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department where he held the position of Chief from 1981-1982, 1986, 1993-1994, and 1999.  He was a Past President in 1990 and was on the Clam Bake and Truck Committees.  He received the Edgar Stickles award in 2014 for his commitment to the Ghent Fire Department and the Ghent community.  He was a life member of the Columbia County Fair Association as well as a life member of the Hudson Valley Old Time Power Assoc.  He coached for Chatham Little League in the 1970's and volunteered his time to help build the current Little League complex in Chatham.  Mike enjoyed gardening, ice fishing, raising turkeys and pigs for the family to enjoy, and collecting antique farm items.  He enjoyed tractor pulling and was a lover of antique tractors and trucks.  He loved spending time in his shop tinkering on his Farmall H wide front tractor and a Mack B61 truck – which happened to be the same model of truck he first ever drove.  He was an avid beekeeper and was proud to share his honey he named, "Betsy's Best Bees Honey" with family and friends.  He was a staunch fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.  He loved vacationing in Hampton Beach, NH and taking cruises with Betsy.  But, his biggest joy was being "Poppy" to all his grandchildren.  He was a communicant of the St. James Catholic Church in Chatham since childhood.  Anyone that knew Mike knew that he loved the simple country life, living life with a positive attitude, and great sense of humor.  Mike's family would like to thank the amazing staff at Albany Medical Center in the radiation and chemotherapy departments, especially Dr. Evangelist and Dr. Chandra.  Thank you to the nurses you cared for Mike when he was a patient there in April 2014 including the local nurses that found their way to Mike's room to visit him.  A grateful and heartfelt thank you to all the sensitive and caring staff at Community Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties.  Everyone at Hospice has been so wonderful and reassuring these past few weeks.  Just knowing you were there anytime day or night was a feeling beyond words.  Thank you to Skip Hogan for your timeless help you gave Mike over the past year tending to his many bee hives.  And, thank you for the countless friends that were there for him to share a smile and a good story.  Family will receive friends on Thursday October 29th from 4 to 7pm at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday at St. James Church interment will follow at Chatham Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, NY 12414 and the Ghent Food Pantry, Ghent Town Hall, Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075. To read the full obituary or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com