Dr. Michael Anthony Ball

Dr. Michael Anthony Ball, born July 1, 1961 passed away on December 20, 2014. Michael was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but moved to Syracuse, NY as a child and graduated from Henniger High School. Michael was passionate about horses from an early age and after high school graduation, worked professionally with them for many years before returning to college. Michael attended Cornell University first for his undergraduate degree and then graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1992. After spending two years at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael returned to Cornell to complete a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine as well as completing research and teaching duties in the Pharmacology department. Michael went onto work in private equine practice in Central New York, and Florida and throughout his career worked with passion and excitement for horses and their caretakers. Michael spent several years working with the United States Equestrian Team and especially loved traveling with the Team throughout Europe and Canada, and made friends wherever he went. Michael's second love was teaching and was always thrilled to share his knowledge of horsemanship and veterinary medicine with a younger generation. Michael authored numerous articles on horse care as well as publishing original research articles. Michael's happiest moments were spent at the many horse shows he attended, joking with friends, creating nicknames for the people and animals he enjoyed most, rescuing wayward kittens, and caring for his beloved horses.
Michael is survived by his Mother, Louise Ball (Martini ) of Ithaca, NY, Aunt Elizabeth "Bulldog" Haight (Martini) of Framingham, MA, his former wife Dr. Christina Cable of Lansing, NY, dear friend Stefanie Watson of Cazenovia, NY and innumerable friends and clients, both animals and humans alike. Grandmother Edith Martini of Syracuse, as well as his Uncle Tom Haight, predeceased him. Since Michael was awarded a multitude of scholarships while he was a student at Cornell, to which he was very grateful, we thought. what better way to return the gift ? Please consider donating to the Michael A Ball, DVM Scholarship Fund. College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 39, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
A celebration of Michael's life will be held on Saturday, February 07, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the All Saints Church Parish Center, Ridge Rd., Lansing. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.