Michael W. Burley

Michael was born on Nov. 29, 1956, in Jamestown, New York, the son of the late William George and Sarah “Sally” Bernadette McGonagle Burley.

Michael was a graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, New York, and went on to further his education at SUNY Albany on scholarships of merit, earning his bachelor’s degree in biology. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked at the LaSalle School for Boys where he changed the course of many young men’s lives for the better. Before attending medical school, he worked on research teams instrumental in our understanding of toxic lead in the environment and gene sequencing at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Michael ultimately earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the Presbyterian Hospital (UPMC) in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Michael served his communities as a diagnostic and interventional cardiologist, working at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa., Northside and St. Elizabeth hospitals in Youngstown and at Sharon Regional Hospital in Sharon, Pa., with esteemed friends and colleagues. He found joy teaching medical students and residents at Northside Hospital and co-chaired an annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association for 20 years. He brought immense integrity, love and sensitivity to his work as a doctor and left a legacy of kindness and compassion for all who knew him so well.

On Aug. 8, 1981, Michael married his lifelong friend and beloved wife, Paula A. Passafaro, who survives him, along with their children, families and many close friends, including his daughter, Alexandra Helen Burley (Alex Springer) of Gainesville, Florida; sons, Ian Michael Burley (Melissa King-Smith) of New York, New York, and Quentin Joseph Burley (Kristen Coburn) of Los Angeles, California; brother, Timothy (Ann) Burley, of Glenmore, Pa.; sisters, Marian (Scott) Becker of Syracuse, New York, Rebecca (Richard) Armella, of Fredonia, New York, Linda (Christopher) Moll of Williamson, New York, Patricia (Brian) Ruh of Buffalo, New York, Sarah Curtis of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; many nieces, nephews, and in-laws; and his grandchildren, Jasper and Ronan Springer-Burley, whom he treasured dearly.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, 2726 Center Road, Poland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Holy Family Church. Michael will be laid to rest in Poland Riverside Cemetery.

The family invites donations, made in honor of Dr. Michael Burley, to the American Heart Association, to support student scholarships at Northeast Ohio Medical University/NEOMED, www.neomed.edu/give/scholarships; or the LaSalle School in Albany, New York, www.lasalle-school.org.