Dr. Michael Harris Greenbaum

MICHAEL HARRIS GREENBAUM, M.D.

(Lovingly called "Doctor Mike" by all)

May 4, 1935 - November 29, 2025

Only son of the late Nathaniel Greenbaum, Esq. and Paula Weinberg Greenbaum of Brooklyn, New York.

On the 29th of November 2025 at 11:39 in the morning, Dr. Michael Harris Greenbaum (“Dr. Mike”) entered into eternal life very peacefully in his sleep at his home in West New York, New Jersey, at the age of 90, with his beloved lifetime partner, Kit Neri, by his side.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 4, 1935, to the late New York trial lawyer Nathaniel Greenbaum and Paula Weinberg Greenbaum.  He built two medical clinics in New York.  He was the medical director for the New York Stock Exchange.  And he won First Place in the New York Grand Finals Salsa Competition.  After his retirement, he booked Latin bands for the popular Cuban restaurant Las Palmas, West New York’s little secret, as a hobby.  His well-noted friendship and his commitment to the Latino community were exceptional.   He also performed many times as a stand-up comic at the Meadowlands Hotel, Bright Side, and various other venues, gratis et amore, for the simple reason that he enjoyed seeing people happy and laughing.

Dr. Mike loved each and every one of his friends ... no matter what walk of life they came from.  He did not care about your background, as long as you knew Tito Puente, Hector LaVoe, Tito Rodriguez, and Machito.

When Dr. Mike listens to music, he listens with great emotion and feeling.  Some songs bring him to tears.  He heard much more than most of the rest of us.

Dr. Mike walked the earth, kicked dust as he went, and danced right down the center of it in a way that only a few men do.

While he was alive, he was often referred to as a living legend.

Michael is survived by his beloved life partner, Kit Neri, and his best buddy, Chuck Neri, and by his two daughters, Leslie and Denise.

May Dr. Mike‘s life and love for salsa music and dance inspire generations of people.

For us who remain behind, the memory of Dr. Mike, who made us laugh with his lightning-fast wit and humor, and who danced amongst us, lives on.

Flowers are welcome, as well as donations to the West New York Police Department, West New York, New Jersey 07093.

THE SCHEDULE:

Dec. 3, 2025, Wednesday WAKE (Visitation) 4 pm to 8 pm

Barquin Funeral Home

7101 Broadway (corner 71st St)

Guttenberg, NJ 07093

(Note: There is a large on-site covered parking lot)

Dec. 4, 2025, Thursday SHORT 1-HOUR VIEWING 9 am to 10 am

Barquin Funeral Home

(For those who want to follow the hearse at 10 am to the graveside site at Mount Moriah Jewish Cemetery (10 minutes away)

10:30 am - Graveside Services (15 minutes)

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