Obituary of Michael A. Tollar

Michael Alex Tollar, age 74, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away April 15 after a brief but valiant fight against prostate cancer.  Michael was born in North Tonawanda, New York to Alex and Dorothy Kohler Tollar.  He graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1965 and continued his education at NCCC, Brockport State and Shelley’s School of Floral Design.  He and his former wife Linda ran Northside Florist for 10 years.  He also served as president of the Niagara Retail Florist Association.  After selling Northside Florist, Michael moved to Atlanta where he ran another flower shop for 5 years before retiring to St. Petersburg.  He continued free lance design work through Christmas 2021.  Michael also served in the Air National Guard at the Niagara Falls Air Force Base from 1969-1975. 

Michael was predeceased by his partner O’Gene M. Donahue, Michael’s sister Janice, and parents Alex and Dorothy. 

He is survived by his sister Marcia (David) Friedman, nephew Bradley and niece, Katie; brother Robert (Emy), nephew Robert (Danielle), great niece and nephew Riley and Jack; niece Amy (Sally) Tollar; niece Kristen Myers and great nephew and great niece Christopher and Kaitlyn; cousin, Barbara (Roger) Quinn. 

A chapel service and burial will take place at Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda on Saturday, April 23.  Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation for AIDS research.  Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.  A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.farleyfuneralhome.com.