Michael Bayba

1920 - 2014

Michael Bayba

Silver Creek, NY - Michael Bayba, 93, of St. Columban's on the Lake in Silver Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday July 9 in his sleep. Mike was born on July 25, 1920 and grew up in Camden, New Jersey in the "Liney Ditch" and was a teenager during the Great Depression. One of his fondest memories was rowing out into the shipping lanes in the Delaware River with his brother, and collecting dunnage, rowing home and splitting it to sell for firewood.

He was drafted in 1943 and as a part of "The Greatest Generation" served our country on Iwo Jima during WWII. Just before the war he married his bride of 66 years, Louise Chechowich in 1943. After his service, they settled in Buffalo NY and raised their family there, active for many years in Evangelical Baptist Church.

He worked for many years as a radio engineer for several Buffalo area radio stations, as well as selling insurance and working as a two way radio repair technician. Mike was an avid stamp collector, and enjoyed vacationing with his family back in New Jersey.

He was predeceased by Louise, brothers John and Pete, sisters Ann and Mary, and is survived by his his brother Joe of Panama City FL, daughter Michele (Robert) Berger, of Portsmouth VA, his son Michael (Elizabeth Rogers) of Silver Creek, his grandson Robert Berger, of Windermere, FL, granddaughter Sasha Kaiser, from Buffalo, grandson Michael, of Buffalo, and granddaughter Sonya of Silver Creek, as well as great granddaughter Katia Berger of Windermere.

A memorial service will be held at Evangelical Baptist Church, 43 Ludington Street, Buffalo NY, 14206, on Mike's birthday, July 25th,2014 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to St. Columban's on the Lake, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek NY, 14136.