BODURA

MICHAEL D. "THE BUB"

Michael announced that he was going to be special even before he was born when his mother developed kidney stones during pregnancy, but he emerged robust. His first few years were healthy and rambunctious, but there eventually were signs of slow development. Soon he was diagnosed with MPS-IIIA, a rare, progressive genetic disorder that would slowly rob him of everything but his spirit. His superpower was making everyone around him better, particularly his parents and sister.

Michael entered the Bethel Park school system and quickly became a favorite of his peers, perhaps because he twice pulled the fire alarm to get them out of class. When we went to places like Kennywood for the school picnic, everybody seemed to know him, and the rest of us were just along for the ride.

Michael was fast and elusive in his youth, once escaping the grasp of his parents to say hello to his sister at midcourt during her basketball game at St. Thomas More, where he attended church. He was fond of the music there and everywhere. Disney movies like "The Lion King" were a passion, and he developed an ear for the music of Bob Dylan. For a while he was a whiz doing puzzles and enjoyed vacations at the beach. He was doted on by his grandparents, Bernice Stackawitz and Mike and Helen Bodura.

When his special needs became more acute, he transferred to Pathfinder School, where they were better equipped to nurture him. This led to a lifelong love of bowling with the school's Special Olympics team. During those years he was mischievous, but his infectious smile kept him out of trouble.

After Michael graduated at age 21, he went to various day programs and kept busy with activities like music therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, and going to Pirates games. He liked eating out, especially Cream of Wheat and raspberry iced tea at Ma and Pop's diner on Sunday afternoons. His appetite had expanded greatly from his early years, when Kellogg's Corn Pops and McDonald's french fries were his foods of choice.

Michael's last couple years were more difficult, made easier only by the compassion of his caregivers and nurses, but by then he had already beaten some long odds. Patients with his condition often only live into their teens. On his final weekend, he bowled two games using his ramp and Scooby Doo ball, breaking 100 both times. On Wednesday, he waved his maracas to favorite tunes at music therapy. The next day, he left peacefully for a better place.

See you later, alligator.

Michael is survived by his parents, Mike and Grace; and beloved sister, Julia. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park.

Donations are suggested to the National MPS Society or Team Sanfilippo.