Dr. Michael J. Hooker, 52, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and
formerly of Bolivar, New York passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 12, 2020 at
home.
Born on August 20, 1967, in Olean, he was a son of James K.
Hooker and Betty J. Foster Hooker.
Michael was a graduate of Bolivar Central School Class of
1985 and later received his Doctorate Degree in Wildlife Management from the
University of Georgia.
He was currently employed by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission as a Bear Biologist. His
extensive knowledge and research of bears took him all over the United States
and throughout other countries speaking at seminars and conventions in the
Netherlands, Romania, Japan, Mexico, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands. He also attended a conference in India and
was able to share his passion with his mother who traveled along to Delhi and
Nepal. He was making a difference in the
world through his lifetime work.
Michael enjoyed running in marathons and would attend them
all over the United States. He loved
hunting, and living out west. In his
younger years he enjoyed participating in rodeos and was proud to have achieved
over 25 years of sobriety through his involvement with Alcoholics
Anonymous. He will be remembered as a
person that had quick wit and was a great storyteller.
He leaves behind his mother Betty J. Hooker of Cuba; Sisters Jamie (David) Greene of Olean,
Jodie (Matt Printup) Hooker of Sacramento, CA, Wendy Lawrence of Buffalo; Several Nieces and Nephews
and his beloved walker coon hound Rooster. He was predeceased by his father.
Private family services will be held at the convenience of
the family. Memorials may be made to the Cuba Rushford Central Schools Outdoors
Education Program, 5476 Rte. 305, Cuba, NY 14727. Arrangements are under direction of the Mark
F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba. Online condolences
may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.
