In addition to his parents, he is survived by his adoring sister Sarah, his Godmother Gena Gaughan Boyden (Patrick DiDomenico and the late Johnston N. Boyden), Godfather Paul N. DiPalma (Margarita) and other loving aunts and uncles; Mollie Gaughan Hill (Sean), Ellen C. Gaughan, MD, Matthew D. Gaughan (Mary), Elizabeth DiPalma, and cousins Adam DiPalma, Alexis DiPalma, Tara DiDomenico Siri (Kent), Daniel P. DiDomenico, Amanda DiPalma, Madeline Gaughan, Bridget Gaughan, Olivia Gaughan, Mollie D. Gaughan and Tessa Vanderlip.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Nicholas F. DiPalma and Clelia Pontecorvo DiPalma and Dr. Lawrence E. Gaughan and Theresa Damiano Gaughan and uncles Michael J. Gaughan and Daniel X. Gaughan (Evelyn Vanderlip).

A 2007 graduate of SUNY Fredonia, Michael earned his B.S. degree in Business Administration; with a concentration in Marketing. Michael enjoyed his operations and managerial roles in the highend, luxury corporate world, holding positions in the David Yurman Jewelry Co., Tiffany and Co. and Asprey, USA in the New York City area.

An avid traveler, fashion guru, and workout enthusiast, Michael loved his family and friends, music and skiing. Michael (affectionately called Mikko by his best friends Josiah Barnes and Liz and Ben Malik, and all his friends in NY, Miami, London, and Madrid) was a bright and shining star. If you who were lucky enough to have been in his company, you would bathe in his brightness and warmth and walk away always feeling better about yourself and life. He had many gifts and was a true gentleman. He was selfless, loving, kind and always put God, family and friends before himself. Michael will be loved and missed with every breath we take.

Calls may be made Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Friday, Dec. 4 at Holy Trinity Church, 1032 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY.

Memorial contributions in Michael’s memory may be made to: The Dana Farber Cancer Institute for Melanoma Research (dana-farber.org), 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445; the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, 189 E. Main St., Westfield, NY 14787; or the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk, NY 14048.