Michael W. Warden

Mr. Michael W. Warden, age 48 of Potsdam, NY passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Canton Potsdam Hospital. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Friday, June 29th from 2-6pm. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11am at Knapp Station Community Church with Rev. Lee Sweeney celebrant, Burial will follow the service at Bayside Cemetery in Potsdam. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory can be made to Potsdam Youth Football Association in care of Mike Schartfigure @P.O. Box 262 Colton, NY or to the Fresh Air Fund @publishpath.com or 1-800-367-0003. Thoughts, memories and condolences can be shared @garnerfh.com.

Michael is survived by his wife Marjorie Warden, his sons Connor and Max Warden, daughter Peyton Warden; parents Lynn and Shirley Warden; brother Thomas (Jeramarie) Warden; sisters Diane Warden-Gaylord and Susan Warden and several nieces and nephews.

Michael was born on May 22, 1970 in Corning, NY. His family moved to Potsdam when he was 3. He was a 1988 graduate of Potsdam Central High School, a 1992 graduate of St. Lawrence University and a 1993 graduate from SLU with his master’s in education counseling. He was married to Marjorie Buyea on July 30, 1994 in Cazenovia, NY. Michael started his career as a guidance counselor at Norwood Norfolk Central School and was Dean of Students also. He moved on to become the Vice Principal at Gouverneur Central High School and then became principal at Heuvelton Central School and finished his career as the high school principle at Salmon River Central until his early retirement due to an illness.

Mike was very involved as an athlete himself and with youth sports. He was very proud to have been a member of the Potsdam Junior Hockey Bantam team that won the New York State Championship and then went on to finish 3rd in the country in 1986. He went on to become a very accomplished athlete at Potsdam Central High School where he excelled in football, hockey, track and soccer. He was an all northern selection multiple times and was an All North Times Football selection. He went on to play four years of varsity college football at St. Lawrence University. Mike continued to play sports after his athletic career concluded. He loved playing Sunday night hockey with the Part Timers and always looked forward to golf night too. Mike enjoyed biking and was very skilled at working on bikes. He enjoyed going to professional motocross races too. He was an avid Chicago Bears football fan and enjoyed going to a Bears Packers game every year with several of his family and friends. Mike was also an HGTV fan.

Mike was a member of the Potsdam Athletic Hall of Fame, the Elks Lodge, was a longtime commissioner of Potsdam Youth Football, was a former member of the Potsdam Junior Hockey Board and coached his children in several sports over the years. Michael was very active with the Fresh Air Fund for many years. He and his wife Marj hosted several children over the years. For several summers they hosted Shaquille Burrus and he became just like family. Shaquille recently reached out to Mike and his family and said that Mike was the father that he never had.