Obituary of Michael Babiak

Michael Babiak, 83, of Arnold Avenue, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning. Born in Borislau, Ukraine on January 1, 1922, he was the only son of Stefan and Anastazia Babiak. His father died when he was two years old and he was raised by his loving stepfather, Mykola Seniw and his mother. In 1944 he married Stefania Kusznir. Both immigrated to America along with their first son Lubomyr and settled in Amsterdam in November 1949. In 1955 he commenced a thirty-two year medical career at St. Clare?s Hospital in Schenectady, where he worked as a medical technologist and rose to direct the hospital?s blood bank. He was often recognized for his mentorship of aspiring medical technologists. He was one of the first certified cancer cytologists in New York State. He studied at the Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Michael will be long remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He possessed a great sense of humor. He was a modest man who often put his family and friends before himself. He demonstrated these attributes through many acts of kindness and generosity. A dedicated parishioner, faithful servant and trustee of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was an active member of the Ukrainian American Citizen?s Club and the Ukrainian National Association. During his youth in the Ukraine, Michael was a star soccer player. An avid Yankees fan, he would often take his family and friends to New York during the baseball season, and was a proud supporter of his three sons who were local student athletes. He and his wife of sixty-one years were accomplished ballroom dancers. They enjoyed traveling to many destinations where they created many wonderful memories. His loving family includes his devoted wife, Stefania; sons; Lubomyr and his wife Kathleen Babiak, of Rego Park, NY; Orest Babiak of Amsterdam and John and his wife Dr. Maya Bunik Babiak of Denver, Co.; his sister; Lydia Bazar and her husband Myron of Saratoga Springs; his grandchildren, Larissa, Marko and baby Nicholas Babiak; nephews, Peter Bazar of Saratoga Springs, and Walter Bazar and wife Suzan of Paris, France; Andrew Kusznir of Houston and niece Roma Kusznir of Boston; and a brother in law George Kusznir and wife Christina of Flushing, NY And cousins Roman and Peter Pilkiw of Toronto, Canada. Services are Friday morning at 9:00 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. Fr. Marian Kostyk, celebrant. Interment is in St. Nicholas? Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 5-7 pm at the funeral home. The Panachyda will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Basil?s College and Seminary, 195 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford, Conn. 06902. The family sincerely thanks all the staff members of Community Hospice of Amsterdam and especially Chris Frisch, Kristina McKee and Ryan McNulty for their compassionate care and services since January.