Powerful obituary says Schenectady man who refused vaccine ‘needlessly’ died from COVID

A Schenectady man’s powerful obituary is very direct, saying he "needlessly" died from COVID.

Michael Joseph Malecki passed away Nov. 15 at age 70. His obituary was published Thursday in The Daily Gazette.

"He did not believe in masks, tests, vaccines, or the virus," the obituary reads. "He liked to say he lived his life according to his favorite songs, ‘My Way’ and ‘I Gotta Be Me.’ He was certainly him, and it probably killed him."

He is survived by several friends and family.

Since Malecki’s family says he didn’t like funerals, a memorial bench will be sponsored in a park near his childhood home.

His family is requesting donations in his honor to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases or Doctors Without Borders.