Michael T Trese, M.D.

Michael Thomas Trese M.D., left this world on October 21st, 2022 after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife Caron Trese, his brother Tom (Dianne), four of his sons Daniel (Michael), Matthew (Elizabeth), John (Rene') and Steve (Stacey) and nine grandchildren. During this difficult time, the family takes comfort in knowing that he is now rejoined with his son Patrick who left this world too soon.

Michael was born on December 8th, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio to Ralph and Virginia Trese. He later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he attended the University of Detroit High School. As a senior he joined the U of D’s football team much to his mother’s dismay. Upon his graduation, Mike attended the University of Michigan and played as a lineman for the Wolverines. His dreams of playing professional football were dashed after a knee injury and he pivoted career goals. After his college graduation, he obtained a Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and later his Medical Degree from Georgetown University. He continued his training at the University of California, Los Angeles where he completed his residency in ophthalmology. Finally, he subspecialized and completed his vitreoretinal surgical training at Duke University. Dr. Trese served as Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery at the University of Kansas prior to coming back to Michigan in 1982 and joining Associated Retinal Consultants and William Beaumont Hospital. In this capacity, he served as the Chief of Adult and Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery for nearly the last 40 years. He was also a Clinical Professor of Biomedical Sciences at The Eye Research Institute of Oakland University and Clinical Associate Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

During his career, Dr. Trese gained an international reputation for his ability to care for infants and children with complex vitreoretinal disease. He developed many of the surgical techniques which are now taught the world over and have restored or preserved sight for countless individuals. Because of these contributions he is often referred to as the Father of Modern Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery. He has served in leadership positions for many professional societies including being the past president of The Retina Society and The Club Jules Gonin. Dr. Trese has helped to develop medications for vitreoretinal surgery, given countless invited lectures, written textbooks, authored book chapters and published over 300 peer reviewed articles. Dr. Trese’s illustrious career was publicly recognized when he received the honor of becoming the 2021 Laureate Award winner - the highest honor that can be bestowed to an individual by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Despite all the accolades, Dr. Trese maintained that the greatest professional accomplishment of his career was the opportunity to work with and train his Fellows.

However, when Dr. Trese was at home he was simply Mike or Dad. He cherished his wife, Caron. In the summers, they would retreat to northern Michigan and could often be found sailing around the Great Lakes. To escape the cold Michigan Winters, they traveled to their home in St. John - US Virgin Islands and were frequently found hiking or boating. Mike was an outdoorsman who loved fishing of any kind but spent time each summer fly fishing in Idaho. In the fall, he loved to walk the fields in Michigan and hunt pheasant. His greatest joy though was spending time with friends and family over a good meal and perhaps a well-crafted cocktail. He loved slapstick comedy movies like those of Mel Brooks or Monty Python. Those that will remember Mike will undoubtably remember his laugh. It was contagious and ever-present.

When regaling Mike’s life, it is impossible not to recall his professional success but without a doubt his greatest legacy is the 33-year marriage to Caron. Throughout their marriage, Mike and Caron focused on creating a foundation of togetherness. They brought the family together through the annual get togethers at the Venetian Festival in Charlevoix, family ski trips, beach holidays to St. John, sailing or simply fishing on the lake. Because of this persistence, five boys were able to unite and become brothers. This was Mike’s single greatest joy. The love he had for his boys was palpable, but as time passed and the boys started families of their own Mike’s love for his grandchildren was unparalleled. He was known to take his grandchildren on trips to Japan, to see Broadway shows, or simply go out to dinner. Through these experiences he built a rich relationship with his family that will not be forgotten.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our cherished husband, brother, father and grandfather. A memorial service will be held at Desmond and Sons Funeral Home in Royal Oak from 3-8 PM on Thursday October 27th, 2022 and a funeral mass will be held at St. Regis Catholic Church at 10 AM on October 28th, 2022. A gathering will be held at Pine Lake Country Club following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to The Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation or The Eye Research Institute at Oakland University.