Michael J. Bird, 78, of Milford, died suddenly Fri., May 6, at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro after being stricken while driving his car on I-495. He was the husband of Elizabeth R. (Russell) Bird. 

He was born in Framingham, son of the late James and Myrtle (Taylor) Bird, and was a lifelong Milford resident. He graduated from the former St. Mary’s High School in 1950 and was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. 

Mr. Bird worked 38 years for the New England Telephone Company, retiring in 1995. He was a longtime communicant of St. Mary’s Church; a longtime member of the New England Telephone Pioneers Club; and a member of the Italian-American Veterans Post of Milford. 

Besides his wife of 52 years, he leaves three sons, James Bird and his wife, Susan, of Millville, John Bird and his wife, Michele, of Milford and Thomas Bird and his wife, Michelle, of Hopedale; seven grandchildren, Sarah, Connor, Nicholas, Lauren, Alexandra, Abigail and Zoe; a brother, David Bird and his wife, Joanne, of Milford; a sister, Mrs. Claudia Gardner of Hopedale; many nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Ellie Palozzi of Florida; and two brothers-in-law, Thomas Russell of Milford and William Gardner of Milford. He was the brother of the late John Bird of Milford. 

His funeral, with Military Honors, will be held Thurs., May 12, at 9 a.m. from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 19 Winter St. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wed., May 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to VNA & Hospice of Greater Milford, c/o Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, 14 Prospect St., Milford, MA 01757.