Michael Ward Behringer of Southampton Dies May 23

Michael Ward Behringer of Southampton did peacefully surrounded by family on May 23. He was 68.

He was born October 7, 1955, to Thomas and Maureen.

He graduated from North Carolina State University College of Design and Clemson University School of Architecture, then returned to his hometown of Southampton as a licensed architect.

He married Cheryl Collins on June 4, 1983, and soon after settled in the community of North Sea. He began his career as an architect working with Jay Sears of Westhampton, but soon embarked on his own.

Southampton Town boasts many homes and additions that he designed. Ever attentive to aesthetics, his designs blend with and enhance the natural beauty and environment he loved about Eastern Long Island. This return to his roots marked the beginning of his commitment to his community.

The driving force in his life was love, for his family and his community, his family said.

He was a giver who loved the Town of Southampton. There may be many things that people don’t know about him because he was a close to the vest kind of guy. He gave back to his community in many ways, but from the North Sea Fire Department perspective, he gave it all. Serving as a member for 33 years, he was a lieutenant from 1995-1997, on the Board of Directors for 15 years, the department president for four years, a 25-year member of the Scholarship Committee and served on the Board of Fire Commissioners from 2011-2018 and 2023-2024.

His service to the North Sea Fire Department went well beyond those commitments. The department became a second family to him, his wife Cheryl and their sons. He never hesitated to make a fire call, help cook a meal, assist with drills, work the long, rewarding carnival nights or help community members in need. In 2009, he was recognized as the Fireman of the Year.

Starting in 1999, Behringer was a founding board member of Southampton Youth Services. Not only was he an original benefactor, he also gave his professional services as an architect to SYS, pro bono. He was the first to put his own money toward the project, which kick-started what is known today as Southampton Youth Services and he has been an integral part of SYS since, either on the board or as a member.

He also served on various boards in the community over the years, including the Architectural Review Board for Southampton Town.

Nothing mattered more to him in this world than his wife, Cheryl, and their two boys, Michael and Steven, his family said. He fostered this love of his family in many ways, but perhaps the most telling was camping. Many summer days and nights found them surrounded by family and friends camping at Shinnecock East County Park, Jim Aery’s Way, or North Sea Beach.

As a family, they enjoyed countless barbecues and overnights with cousins. Campfires long into the night with both family and friends were the norm for years. They took this love of family and adventure to include many camping trips to the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

College years for the boys found them at the College of Charleston. Their parents were quick to follow and soon found themselves with an off-season Southern home. Cheryl Behringer often said she loved their time there, as she didn’t have to share her husband with anyone. Recent times found the couple splitting their time away from North Sea between Charleston and Peoria, Illinois to spend time with their grandchildren, Charlie, Will, and Savannah.

He was predeceased by his wife Cheryl; son, Michael; parents, Thomas and Maureen; and brother, Tim. He is survived by his son, Steven (Samantha); grandchildren, Charlie, Will and Savannah; sisters, Kathy Dayton, and Peggy D’Onofrio (Ron); brothers, Brian (Tracy), and Kevin (Karen), and 13 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Brockett Funeral Home on Friday, June 7, from 4-8 p.m., with a firematic service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m., followed by a procession to the grave site led by the North Sea Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the North Sea Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 149 Noyac Road, Southampton, NY 11968 (northseafiredepartment.org).