Michael William Maloney, 69, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 1, at 7:15am, at Buffalo General Hospital in the thoughtful good care of medical professionals, surrounded by dear friends and his loving and grateful family. May he delight in heaven as he did in his lifetime with us. Michael sustained a courageous spirit from deep in his soul and lived with a tenacity for independence in the face of challenges, making sure he connected with everyone he met. He was curious, a deep thinker, an engaged friend who truly aimed to provide support. All while maintaining a clever sense of humor. An artist, Michael sketched everywhere he went. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and classic films, a love of Blues music, and an affinity for the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Lakers.

Michael grew up in Florence, NY with his three sisters, a brother, and devoted parents Bernard and Mary Maloney. After graduating from Camden High School in 1973 he ventured to Nazareth College and earned his bachelor's degree in Art History in 1980. He later studied Art Therapy at Buffalo State College. He lived in Buffalo for most of his adult life, where he formed many special friendships while sketching in coffee shops, at various community group meetings, and through his volunteer work with Buffalo Crisis Services as a phone counselor that included late night work on the suicide hotline. Michael made a difference in countless lives.

Michael was brother of Mary Anna (Thomas) Ruby, Bernard Maloney, Bernadette (Richard) Bergman, and Maureen (Kathleen Kook) Maloney; uncle of Andrew (Thomas Fetcinko) Ruby, Bryan Ruby, Erin (Jackson) Maurer, Meghan Ruby, Colleen Maloney, Jeffrey Stellrecht and the late Ryan Bergman; great-uncle of Keira and Blake Maurer.  Family will be present at the Charles Meyer Funeral Home, 13228 Broadway Alden, NY Friday 4-7 PM and Saturday 10-11 AM with services following at 11 AM.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo Inc. or the Michele M. Adey Memorial Fund ATTN: Mary Carmel Wolf, 8572 Teugega Pt. Rd., Rome, NY  13440.  Share your condolences at meyerfuneralhome.com.