On July 13, 2024, Michael T. Marak, 77, a longtime resident of Guilford, passed away at St. Raphael Hospital, New Haven.

Devoted husband of Paula (Balletto) Marak and loving father of E. Michael (Jane) Regan of Niantic, Shelley (Kyle) Sartini of Berlin, Massachusetts, Jodi (Tim) Ouellette of Westbrook, Stephanie (Joshua) Merriman of Westbrook, and Theodore P. (Anna Tomasulo) Marak of Cranston, Rhode Island.

Michael was born in New Haven and spent his childhood and early adulthood in San Jose, California. Michael was a 1964 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose and a 1968 graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara.

Soon after marrying, Michael and Paula returned to Connecticut, where they remained for more than 50 years. An accomplished educator, Michael worked for over 40 years in public education for Hamden Public Schools, impacting countless lives with his curious mind and passion for many subjects, from science to language arts. Throughout his life Michael loved playing and watching baseball, fishing with his buddies, listening to music from his youth, and he was a voracious reader. But Michael was most passionate about his family. He helped his children and grandchildren discover their interests and was happiest seeing them pursue their passions.

He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Tucker, Caroline, Jack, Brooke, McKenna, Adele, Ava, James, and Matthew, and his granddogs, Luna, Higgins, and Bo. He was always their biggest supporter. Whether it was at the track, the soccer or baseball field, or a dance performance, he could always be found in the stands or audience alongside his wife of over 50 years, cheering for his loved ones. He always reminded his family and friends, “In raising your children, spend half as much money and twice as much time.”

Michael is also survived by his brother Chris Marak and nephew Tommy Marak, of Santa Cruz, California, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Michael was predeceased by his parents, Theodore M. Marak and Adele (Ausukaitis) Marak; and nephew Ben Marak.

Friends are invited to calling hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, July 22, followed by a prayer service at 1 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Burial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Hospital’s Closer to Free Ride: E. Michael Regan - www.rideclosertofree.org/participant/31510 and

Teddy Marak - www.rideclosertofree.org/participant/31511 or the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231; www.heart.org. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com