Michael Oliver Brayton Cherry: June 20, 1937 – March 29, 2023

Michael Cherry (85) died peacefully in his home in Palm Desert, California on the morning of March 29th, with loved ones at his side. 

Michael was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to Nelson and Constance Cherry (Brayton), and was raised in Bristol, Rhode Island. Michael graduated from The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut (’55). He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Yale University (’59) where he was a member of Fence Club and graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Michael was a public finance investment banker for state and local water and electric power utilities, healthcare facilities, airports, and universities. In the heart of his career, he was Midwest Managing Director of Public Finance for Smith Barney & Co in Chicago. With former partners and colleagues in the early 1990s, Michael formed SCCOT Financial Group. This entrepreneurial venture became one of his proudest career accomplishments. He was held in high regard in his industry and known for unfailing integrity, enthusiasm, and a smile to light up a room.

Michael married Sharon Tise Stormer of Providence, Rhode Island in 1990. Together they created a journey of design, style, and color with their homes as their canvas, inviting communities of friends to share in their warmth and vibrancy. They have supported art, music, and performance education on both coasts. He was an avid golfer, traveling often to new and challenging courses, playing slowly, and making friends. The Course at Yale remained his lifetime favorite. 

Michael’s legacy is the gift of education. He spearheaded multiple scholarship funds with charm, dedication, and indomitable spirit. This work allowed access to higher education for countless hardworking individuals, many of whom were the first in their families to attend college or receive an advanced education. His desire to assist others with their goals was a passion and he was a great mentor. 

Michael is survived by his wife Sharon, sisters Dale Hays and Drew Martin, his three children from his first marriage: Briggs B. Cherry and Ashley C. Goldberg (David Goldberg), their three children of Denver, Colorado, and Brayton J. Cherry of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Michael and Sharon shared two children, Christopher Tise Stormer of Columbia, Missouri, and Megan (Stormer) Ilesha Powderly of Melbourne, Australia. Christopher (age 55) preceded Michael’s death in January of 2023. Of the Powderly grandsons in Victoria (Australia) and California, and the Stormer grandsons in Columbia, Missouri, there is, so far, only one golfer.

A service of love and appreciation was held in April in Palm Desert, California and arrangements will follow for a memorial at Central Congregational Church in Providence, Rhode Island. 

Donations to honor Michael’s memory may be made to: 

The Desert Community Foundation
For the Marrakesh Scholarship Fund*
*(Michael O.B. Cherry was the founding member and initial chairperson)
75-105 Merle Drive, Suite 300 
Palm Desert, CA 92260 

Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA)
336 Acushnet Avenue, Suite C
New Bedford, MA 02740 

Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road 
Santa Barbara, CA 93108