Michael G. Michalak

Shrewsbury - Mike Michalak was born with music in his soul and it's often said that where words fail…music speaks. His love and interest with music and the many instruments he mastered began with playing trombone with the high school band. He played the piano, keyboard and drums as well, but his true passion and talent shined when he had any one of his many guitars in hand. His Nana, Barbara, gifted him his first guitar at age fifteen and he never stopped playing.

He later took this love to a new level and created his own recording studio 'Console Recording Studio' as well as Creative Concepts in which he taught guitar to aspiring musicians and students. In addition, he worked with his uncle and cousins at Commonwealth Electrical Technologies in Worcester.

Mike had more than just a love for music as he was a real history buff with a keen interest in the world wars and the men who led them. A talented artist, Mike had a real gift with his ability to draw. He was always the first in the water when at the beach, but it wasn't just the ocean and swimming that drew him towards the water. He earned his scuba certification at age fourteen in Gloucester and loved fishing, crabbing and walking the beautiful beaches on the Cape especially Dowses Beach in Osterville and Marconi Beach in Wellfleet.

Michael George Michalak was born March 15, 1981 in Worcester a son of Diane L. Michalak. Born an only child he was very close to his Duquette cousins whom he considered more than family but equally close as friends. Raised in Shrewsbury he was a graduate of Shrewsbury High School with the class of 1999. Mike played hockey all his life and was a part of the first ever winning team as defensemen for Shrewsbury High School when they won the state championship in 1999. He attended Bryant University and later Middle Tennessee University. He also attended and received certification from Berklee School of Music in Boston. While he always considered Shrewsbury home he had lived in Nashville (before it was hip and cool) as well as West Palm Beach, Florida.

Michael died at home on Thursday, January 28, 2021. He was 39.

Heaven reunites Michael with his grandparents, George S. Michalak (†December 12, 2012) and his grandmother, Barbara A. (Heron) Michalak (†August 23, 2017) and his aunt, Susan M. Duquette (†February 19, 2013). May they be supremely happy in their next life with one another and God.

He leaves his loving mother, Diane Michalak of Shrewsbury; his uncle, John P. Duquette of Shrewsbury; his cousins, John J. Duquette (Lorena) of Berlin, Jamie P. Duquette of Worcester and Maine, Joseph D. Duquette (Melissa) of Shrewsbury, Jeffrey P. Duquette (Lindsay) and Juliann E. Duquette (Matt McAree) all of Shrewsbury; second cousins, Florencia, Nicole, Tyler, Chase, Camdyn and Dillon; and other close family including Linda Palmerino; great-aunts and uncles including Helen Johnson; close family friends including Kathy Maresca and Marianne and Bob O'Brien and their family, Tina Yanczewski, and his paternal grandparents, George and Rose Greene of Douglas.

Family and friends will honor Michael's life by gathering for a calling hour on Thursday, February 4th from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury followed by his funeral Mass celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Those of you unable to attend may use this link on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to participate in Michael's services: https://my.gather.app/family/michael-michalak

Memorials in his name may be made to St. Anne's Human Services, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or Why Me | Sherry's House (https://whyme.org/)

Arrangements by James & John Heald.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.