Obituary of Michael R. Dydo

Michael R. Dydo, entered into rest peacefully on Friday, June 3, 2022 in his home at the age of 90.

Born November 8, 1931 in Alden Station, Pennsylvania, Michael was the son of the late Michael A. and Helen (Prymas) Dydo. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1949. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 to serve his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. Upon returning home, Mike graduated from Wilkes University earning his B.S. Business Education and while there, was very active in sports. He was a four-year letter winner in baseball and football, selected as captain of each, and was the Secretary of The Letterman’s Club. Along with earning Player of The Year for baseball in 1959, he was also named the Beacon Athlete of the Year, received the Joseph Gallagher Award, and the Howard Davis Trophy for all around excellence in sports. In 2003, he was inducted into the Wilkes University Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Dydo taught briefly at Medina High School but returned to Wilkes University when asked to teach and coach both football and baseball. He subsequently returned to the Medina area where Mr. Dydo worked as an English Teacher for Kendall Central School District for many years, retiring in 1988. Early in his career, he completed graduate work at State University of Brockport and University of Buffalo. While at Kendall, he contributed in many ways including Treasurer of the Kendall Faculty Association, English Department Chairman, Negotiations Committee – Kendall Faculty Association, and administered the VFW Award Citation – Voice of Democracy Program. He coached the Kendall Jr. High Basketball team and the Kendall Varsity Baseball team. During his summers off, Mr. Dydo worked with other Medina area teachers painting houses. He enjoyed playing semi-pro baseball, softball, umpiring, bowling, golfing, and gardening.  Mr. Dydo loved books and was a voracious reader who frequented the Lee-Whedon library every two weeks. He believed “If you can read, you can do anything.”

For many years, Mike was active within the Medina First Baptist Church volunteering as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Christian Education Board member, Finance Committee member, Financial Secretary, and Moderator.

While Mike had a lot of energy for the church and sports, his main priority was his family and his home. He and his wife, Susan, the love of his life, were married on August 26, 1961 and raised a family of three children. He was an incredibly supportive husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family dearly and was always present for the family no matter what the family needed.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Susan B. Dydo of Medina; three children, Michael (Becky) Dydo of Orlando, FL, Kate (Amy Forbush) Dydo of Indianapolis, IN, and Jenn (David) Dydo-Spencer of Dublin, CA; grandchildren, Jonathan and Samantha Dydo, Geoffrey (Catherine) Eaton, Joseph (Cari) Eaton, and Miles Eaton, Zachary (Marijane) Spencer, Lea Spencer and Alexa Spencer; great-grandchildren, Theodore and Alexander Eaton; sister, Henrietta Atkins; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister, Irene Popeck and brother in-law, Clem Atkins.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in West Ridgeway Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following organizations:

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina, NY 14103;

United Spinal Association, 120-34 Queens Blvd. #320, Kew Garden, NY 11415, www.unitedspinal.org;

Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250, www.dav.org;

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Processing Center, P.O. Box 8958, Topeka, KS 66608-9805, www.vfw.org.

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