On Monday, January 17, 2005, Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. lost a valuable staff member and a good friend. Michael Quaranta, our Housing Services Director, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a short illness. (Link to obituary here)

Mike joined us as Housing Director in March of 1996, bringing many years of experience in addressing housing concerns, including a tenure as director of the Chenango Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), Inc.

In 8 years of dedicated service at OFC, Inc., Mike built our Housing department from 2 programs into a full-fledged Home Ownership & Housing Services Center, with over 12 hosted programs to serve the low income residents of Chenango County. He was also the driving force behind OFC, Inc.’s acceptance as a NeighborWorks Chartered Organization by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in November of 2001.

Mike brought with him compassion & understanding for the challenges faced by those with inadequate housing, and was eager to educate those who thought of OFC, Inc.’s efforts to eliminate poverty as “just another welfare program”. Without his efforts through the years, many more people in Chenango County would be without adequate heat, water, and shelter.

Thanks for all that you accomplished, Michael, and rest in peace. You will be missed by all.