Obituary of Michael G. Kessler

Michael G. Kessler, a prominent forensic accountant and the founder and CEO of Kessler International, died of sepsis on June 6, 2017 at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y. Mr. Kessler was surrounded by friends and family. Mr. Kessler was born in Ridgewood, N.Y. on December 31, 1951 to Mildred Kessler and Anthony V. Kessler. He took great pride in the common sense values instilled in him by his parents, and in particular from the lessons of patriotism, discipline, and duty he learned from his father, who received the Purple Heart during his service in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army’s prestigious 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Kessler applied this thoroughly American ethic to his career and to his friendships. “Michael was a devoted friend and a consummate professional,” wrote Susan Peterson, his longtime companion and business partner at Kessler International, one of the leading forensic accounting, computer forensics and corporate investigation firms in the world. “Like the best investigators and law enforcement officers, Michael was guided by a natural instinct of right and wrong, a heartfelt compassion for victims of maltreatment, and a deep faith in the integrity of the American justice system,” Ms. Peterson added. “With Michael, it was all about rational thinking and correct action. As long as you kept to those core principles you’d always come out on top, regardless of whether or not you won or lost a case. Because winning at the expense of others is not a real win. Winning is holding yourself and others accountable and expecting the system to do its job. All of us who were privileged enough to work with him have learned the benefits of this philosophy.” Mr. Kessler received a Bachelor’s Degree from St. John’s University in 1973, an MBA from St. John’s Peter J. Tobin College of Business in 1978, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Business from Pace University, Lubin School of Business in 1981. During his distinguished career, he worked as Chief of Tax Investigations for NYS Department of Taxation & Finance, Director for the NYS Revenue Crimes Bureau, Deputy Inspector General for the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Assistant Chief Auditor/Investigator for the NYS Special Prosecutor, and Senior Auditor for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Greater New York. Mr. Kessler executed forensic training programs for staff at Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, and he acted as an Independent Private Sector Inspector General, also for companies and government agencies. He was a sought-after consultant, lecturer and public speaker for universities, professional associations, and news and media outlets including CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, and various newspaper and magazines. Mr. Kessler received letters of commendation from governors around the United States for his work on behalf of their citizens. His professional affiliations included: American Academy of Forensic Sciences; American College of Forensic Examiners; American Bar Association; Chicago Bar Association; Forensic Expert Witness Association; Institute for Internal Controls; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; National Law Enforcement Associates; Association of Inspectors General; Law Enforcement Video Association; and the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists. He attained Fellow status with the American Board of Forensic Examiners and acted as a Chairman of the American College of Forensic Examiners International. He was an accredited member of the Academy of Experts in the United Kingdom, a member of the IT Committee of The Institute for Internal Controls, and a member of the Professional Responsibility Committee of the Institute of Business Appraisers. He served on the Litigation Forensics Board of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. In his personal life, he enjoyed fine foods and international travel. In recent years, he traveled extensively, including to China, Japan, Indonesia, Hawaii, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. Mr. Kessler is survived by Ms. Peterson and their beloved purebred Shih Tzus, Hachiko and Ninja. He is also survived by his sons Jonathan Kessler (35) of Tempe, Arizona, a computer forensics specialist, and Timothy Kessler (32) of Commack, N.Y. a New York City police officer, both of whom he was enormously proud. In addition, he is survived by his mother, Mildred Kessler of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., his sister Debra Kessler of Centereach, N.Y., his brother John Kessler and sister-in-law Lisa Kessler of Middle Village, N.Y., and his nieces and nephew, Christine, Kimberly, Joelle, and Brian. A visitation will be held at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home, 2084 Horseblock Road, Medford, N.Y. on Thursday June 8, 2017 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. The funeral will be held on Friday June 9, 2017, beginning at 12:00 PM at McManus-Lorey with an opportunity to pay final respects, followed by a prayer service and burial at 1:00 PM at Washington Memorial Park, 855 Canal Road, Mount Sinai, N.Y. CONTACT: Flowers in honor of Mr. Kessler’s life may be sent to: McManus-Lorey Funeral Home 2084 Horseblock Road Medford, N.Y. 11763 631-732-1112 In lieu of flowers, Michael was extremely passionate for animals and over the course of his life had many. As any pet owner knows, a pet is not only a family member, but also a best friend and when they get sick it is devastating. Dr. Wen of Hampton Vet offered an alternative medicine approach for Michael’s dogs, which helped them immensely . There are others however, that cannot afford to receive this aid due to financial constraints. To help those animals and their owners, please send donations in Michael’s name to: Karen Johnston Hampton Vet P.O. Box 493 Speonk, NY 11972 The check should be made to “Hampton Vet” with “Donation - Michael G. Kessler” in the notes line. Alternatively, donations can be made to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which administers New York Zoos including the Central Park Zoo and Bronx Zoo. Wildlife Conservation Society Attn: Donations in Memory of Michael G. Kessler 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460