December 9, 1952 – June 24, 2025

SPIN- Michael J. of Lockport, NY passed unexpectedly on June 24, 2025—just six weeks after the death of his beloved wife of 47 years, Beverly. The few who truly knew him, know he died of a broken heart.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY to Ukrainian immigrant, John and Agnes R. (Kovalaskas) Spin, Mike grew up on Texas Street, where he met both the love of his life, and her sister Judy, who quickly became one of his closest and lifelong friends. He and Beverly moved to Lockport in the 1980’s to raise their family, and it was there they built a home full of loud classical music, food, love, and hot summer days spent by the pool.

He is survived by his beloved children, Nicky Spin and Michael D. (Cathe) Spin; and his cherished granddaughters, Hailey and Samantha Spin. He is also survived by his brother, John (Joann) Spin; his sister, Deborah (Christopher) Marchewka; and his sisters-in-law, Judith (late Dennis) Wnek, and Donna (Robert Carr) Gauthier. Adored nieces and nephews: Ashley and Robert, Paladino, and David J (Robin) Gauthier. Also survived by his great nephew, Anthony Mancone, his great niece, Malania, McKeever, and his great-great nephew, Lorenzo Gauthier.

Michael was predeceased by his devoted wife, Beverly; his sister-in-law, Francis (late Anthony D. DeMarie) Gauthier-DeMarie, and his great nephew, Dalton Gauthier.

He wasn’t a saint in the way Beverly was. He wasn’t the perfect husband, or the perfect father—but he was deeply human, a sensitive man, and completely and undeniably in love with his wife. She was his everything, his constant. And when she passed, something in him simply could not stay. His devotion to her was so complete,  that living without her, was unfortunately, never an option.

Mike worked as a corrections officer at Orleans County for 40 years. He was deeply devoted to his family, fiercely loyal, and quietly proud of the life he built. He was most known for his love of classical music, cooking, his beloved flowers he would purchase at the beginning of every summer, and his best friend and “Granddog,” Bean.

Mike was a quiet historian in his own right— armed with an unshakable memory for dates, battles, and the forgotten corners of World War II. He’d often pause and ask ‘do you know what happened on this day?’ and then answer it himself with a kind of pride and reverence for history.

He had a special place in his heart for Halloween and Christmas, and was known for throwing the most elaborate themed parties—Halloween, birthdays, and summer luaus complete with handmade costumes, decorations, and cakes so detailed they looked like artwork. He and Bev won awards for “best-decorated house” in Lockport on multiple occasions. During the holidays, their home often resembled the North Pole itself.

His passing was sudden, but his heart had already gone with her. The kind of love he carried for Bev didn’t know how to exist without her. What remains is the echo of that devotion – a legacy of loyalty, laughter, and a house that always felt like home.