Michael L. Bienas

1951 - 2025

Bienas,

Michael L.

September 9, 1951 - September 21, 2025

Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and dear friends, on September 21, 2025, at the Niagara Hospice Home. Mike was born in Buffalo, the son of Casimer (Whitey) and Betty Jane (Dobson) Bienas. Mike graduated from Holy Spirit Elementary School, and Cardinal Dougherty High School in Buffalo. Mike worked at the Buffalo Courier – Express and sold life insurance as a young man. He then went to work for the Lockport Union Sun and Journal, in circulation and delivery, for 32 years. Mike then, after retirement, worked for Timkey Car Service, as a limousine driver. Mike is survived by his gracious wife of 4 years, and best friend, Debra (Kriegbaum) Bienas, their sons, Erik (Maria Cimino), and Adam (Elizabeth) Bienas, as well as his former daughter-in-law, Sharon Bienas. Mike is also survived by his treasured grandchildren, Joseph Bienas, and Sarah Bienas, his sister Barbara (Norbert) Orlowski, and his sister Marilynn (late William) Davies, as well as many nieces and nephews. Mike had a passion for sports, dating back to elementary school, and was a skilled and highly sought after athlete. As a teenager, Mike excelled in intramural basketball at Northland College, in Ashland, Wisconsin. He starred in intramural basketball at Niagara University, and Canisius College. As an adult, Mike participated in the initial Gus Macker three on three basketball tournament in Buffalo. He played in that tournament, in Buffalo, for more than 16 years. Mike played in over 40 Gus Macker tournaments, in New York, Michigan, and Ohio. Mike was instrumental in his team winning the sportsmanship award at the Gus Macker National Championships in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Mike also played basketball internationally, including tournaments inside of the Sky Dome in Toronto, and in Hamilton, Ontario, where he played against a team of European all stars. As a football player, Mike was a standout receiver in the John F. Kennedy touch football league, where he became a member of the Hall of Fame. As a softball player, Mike was a starring member of several Buffalo Muny League Softball championship teams. Mike grew up as a charter member of the Homer Avenue Boys. He was unanimously inducted into the Homer Avenue Boys Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility. In later life, Mike became a skilled sailor, and became a member of the Wilson Yacht Club and later became a member, and commodore of the Island Yacht Club. Mike was a knowledgeable and long suffering Buffalo Bills fan, and attended games for more than 45 years. Mike's relatives and many friends are invited to a memorial service for him, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Lockport Life Church, 200 Beattie Avenue, in Lockport, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Mike's memory, to the Niagara Hospice House, or the Niagara SPCA.