Michael A. Vendette, III

Michael A. Vendette lll, 79, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Michael was born in Dunkirk, N.Y to Michael J. Vendette ll and Mary C (Militello) Vendette.

Michael grew up in Dunkirk, and attended Dunkirk Public Schools. Upon graduation, Michael enlisted in the United States Navy, and served as a medic in the Navy, and after his service returned home and worked various jobs . He was a bartender at BJ's bar in Fredonia, and then he left for New York City where he attended the World's Fair. Michael enjoyed traveling with his friend, Steve Korwin. They ventured to the Amazon and then Alaska, bringing back interesting stories, and memorabilia. Michael traveled throughout the United States over the years.

Michael had a fascination with helicopters and airplanes, when he was a child, he would fly beside his dad who piloted a plane from the Dunkirk Airport. Other interests included parachuting, scuba diving, surfing hunting, western life, and his love for automobiles. Mike owned at one time, a MG, a '57chevy, a El Camino, several 1950 Coupes, and many Lincolns, but his recent pride was a Model A 1928 converted Hot Rod, to which he would display at the Lakeshore Street Rods Association car shows. In his younger years Mike shared his interest of hunting and hunting safety with his father who was a master instructor. Gradually, Michael became an instructor and taught at the Chautauqua County Conservation Club for many years, and became a Master Instructor just like his dad.

He loved the Cowboy Era. Michael and his wife Patricia. Would reenact Western shows with the late Bill Frost of Cassadaga. Mike went back to college Fredonia State, and that's where he met his wife, Patricia. It was love at first sight, and they married in August of 1974. Patricia was a teacher and on her days off Mike and her, would go antique shopping. Gradually, they opened an antique shop in Westfield, Arundels, and after a while they moved their shop to Water Street in Fredonia. 

Mike started his career in the early 70's with the Chautauqua County Health Dept. in Environmental Health. He worked many years responding to spills before moving up to Hazmat and Biohazardous Materials. Mike loved his job and he was good at it too. You'd always hear him being paged on the scanner by different law enforcement departments. He worked hand in hand with fire departments throughout the county and also law enforcement. He was particularly in demand from the sheriff's department, and after time, they made him Special Deputy Sheriff under Joe Gerace.

Mike then moved up again into the swat team and counterterrorism and the bomb squad to which he helped create. He responded to "911", and was present for the Bucky Phillips, escape. He was on demand 24-7. Michael had made many friends throughout his career, one very special friend he had was Carl Joy . Carl and Mike we're very close even after Mike retired. They would talk daily about sports, the environment, and life in general. They would be on the phone during NASCAR, the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres games, discussing the sports plays.

After more than 30 years of service, Mike had to retire due to his health and his wife's health. Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

Mike fought a brave fight with the stress of his wife's health and his. During that time, his mother, was having health issues also, and she passed at 102, in 2019.

Michael, hired several health care aides for his wife Patricia who was paralyzed from a Stroke, then he hired Connie , she worked

for both Patricia and Mike's mom. One day Connie brought her baby grandson Emerson over to visit. Patricia and Mike's mom Mary just loved the baby. So Connie arranged to have the baby over more often, which was like therapy to both of them. Mike just adored Emerson and became very attached to him. Seeing Patricia and Michael had no children. Gradually, Michael was treating Emerson like his Foster grandson. He would pick him up from school and take him to the beach, for ice cream , McDonalds, Tim Horton's, and just for rides. As time went on, Emerson had a baby sister and Mike grew close to her too. He loved those kids like they were his own, and Connie was gracious enough to share her grandchildren with our family. Her family, became very close with ours, and Mike's relationship with those children grew until the day he died. They would always call him Papa Mike and they loved him too. He will be missed by all.

Michael was a member of the Lakeshore Street Rods Association, The J. Carter Knapp Post 953 in Forestville, N.Y, Southshore Rod and Gun Club, NRA, WYSL Shortwave Radio Club and the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club.

Michael is survived by his wife of 51 years Patricia L.(Murphy) Vendette of Dunkirk; Siblings: Kenneth J. and (Cheryl) Vendette I, of Fredonia, Jennifer L. VanValkenburg, of Fredonia, Timothy J and(Linda) Vendette of Florida, and his brother-in-law Timothy L. Murphy, of Angola. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and cousins.

Michael is predeceased by his parents Michael J. and Mary C.(Militello) Vendette II; parent in laws: Lee V. and Margorie Murphy; brother-in-laws Dale J. Van Valkenburg I, Michael and Paul Murphy; nephew Kenneth J. Vendette II; maternal and paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home; 736 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY. Prayer services will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Military Honors immediately following held by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council. Interment will be held privately in Holy Trinity Cemetery. Arrangements are by R. Michael Mackowiak III; McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.