It’s hard to capture all that Douglas Ian Michalak brought to his life, and to the lives of those he touched, in his almost 73 years. Because his life was truly a work of art.

He was a deeply loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and son. A best friend and caring neighbor, always ready to lend a hand. And a “cat Dad” to many feline family members. Together, Doug and his devoted wife Jolene created a lifetime of memories for their daughters, Taryn and Kendra, and he relished being “Baba Mitch” to his grandson Levi.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Doug graduated from Amherst Central High School in 1970. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master’s Degree in Art Education at Buffalo State College. In between, he completed his certification to teach K-12 Art through the University of Oregon.

An art educator his entire professional life, Doug taught at Alexander Central School District (1981-1985); North Allegheny School District, Pittsburgh, PA (1985-1987); and the Lyndonville Central School District (1987-2014). Doug was also the yearbook advisor at Lyndonville for 20 years, helping students create a lasting document of their time in school. An active member of the NYS Art Teachers Association, he was awarded Region 2 “Art Educator of the Year” in 2019. Upon retirement, he mentored student art teachers at Nazareth University in Rochester, NY.

Even outside of his career, Doug was an artist. Whether it was creating an oil-on-canvas painting, addressing a greeting card, landscaping his property, or artfully crafting a plate of fruit on the breakfast table, Doug created beauty everywhere with design and color. He also appreciated art created by others, including comic books. He was a Marvel Comics pioneer, with an ongoing passion for collecting.

Doug was also a sports enthusiast who loved the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres since childhood. He played power volleyball in many leagues between Buffalo and Rochester into his 60s. He coached both girls and boys volleyball at the middle and high school level and at Hilbert College. He also officiated Section V volleyball matches. He always loved a good round of golf, finally getting his first and only hole-in-one at the Batavia, NY, Country Club in 2020.

Doug was the kind of guy that knew everyone, even if he hadn’t yet met you. He was interested in you and who you were, and always found connections. And once met, he always remembered—whether you were one of his students, athletes, neighbors, or just someone he chatted with in line. He enjoyed his walks throughout the neighborhood and wherever he travelled, including summer vacations on Canandaigua Lake. Whoever he came across, he would always wave and smile, treating them to his signature full-face grin.

Even when faced with health challenges, he found ways to smile. For the past 8 years, Doug was a courageous role model and cheerleader in the Rochester, NY, CLL Society support group, helping others dealing with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). How he handled his diagnosis and treatment was an inspiration to so many, both inside and outside the group.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Jolene Bak; daughter Taryn Michalak; daughter Kendra Michalak (Robert Lockhart) and grandson Levi Mitchell; brother Andrew (Yvonne Daum) and family: sister Madeline (Loren Ratajczak) and family; brother Robert (Sarah Forbes) and family; sister Gwen. He was predeceased by his father Raymond Michalak and mother Margaret (Drover) Michalak.

Donations to the CLL Society (https://cllsociety.app.neoncrm.com/forms/cll-tribute-gift) or UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/cancer-institute/giving) are suggested as ways to commemorate Doug’s life.

Doug requested that there be a celebration of his life instead of a service and calling hours. One is being planned for this summer. Please email dmichalak2025@gmail.com if you are interested in details.