Michael J. Root

LITTLE FALLS - Michael Jason Root, 51, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. He most recently lived in Herkimer, New York, and was formerly of Little Falls, New York.

Michael was born December 18, 1973, in Cobleskill, NY, to Floyd F. Root Jr. and Elizabeth Root (Sayward). Mike graduated from Little Falls High School in 1992, then went on to Herkimer County Community College, earning a Professional and Technical Communications degree.

Michael married and had his beloved son Armand (Manny) Tyler Root. His son was his whole world. He was so proud of everything Manny accomplished and was always talking about him.

In 2016, Michael was diagnosed with kidney disease. This hit him hard, but he kept his strength and fought for his life the best he knew how. Up until his death, he was impressing the dialysis team with the care he was taking of himself. He knew he had a lot to live for and he was a fighter.

Michael especially loved WWE, watching professional sports, music, playing guitar, cooking, and spending time with his son, Manny. He was the commissioner of a fantasy football league that he started a few years ago, consisting of his son, and a lot of his friends. He also cherished his close friends, Brian Weaver and Mike Kapala.

During the years Michael could work, he enjoyed working as Copy Editor at both the Daily Star (Oneonta) and the Observer-Dispatch (Utica), and Editor at the Richfield Springs Mercury Media group. “Rooto”, “Rootie”, “Rooty” was a guy who could make anybody laugh and enjoyed every moment of that accomplishment. His disability may have changed his life and living situation, but he even used this to continue to bring joy to others at Stone Ridge apartments. He was recently known for his kindness and helping others, even making meals and sharing with some of the friends he made there. People were not hesitant to say, “he was so nice to us” and “we are really going to miss him.”

He is survived by son Armand Root of Salisbury Center; mother, Elizabeth Sayward and her husband Rolland of Little Falls; sister, Crystal Rowe, and husband Floyd; three nephews, Nathan, Aiden, and Hunter of Dolgeville and other close family members including aunts, uncles and cousins.

Michael was predeceased by his father, Floyd F. Root Jr., his paternal grandparents, Floyd Root and Vivian (Smith); and maternal grandparents, Gerald LaQuee and Beatrice.

Following Mike’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or service.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

Arrangements are with Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors at 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, New York 13365 (315) 823-2424. This obituary tribute may be viewed at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.