Michael J. Gindek

GINDEK Michael J. Gindek, age 72, of Southport, died Monday December 6, 2010 at Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital. Mike's professional teaching career was in the East Lyme, Connecticut, School District. He taught at both Niantic Center and Lillie B. Haynes Elementary Schools. Mike was also an Administrative Assistant at Lillie B. Haynes. He resided in Niantic, where he began his teaching career in September, 1960, until his retirement in June, 1992. He then returned to his family home in Southport. Mike enjoyed traveling; whether it was ocean cruising, river cruising or bus tours both in the United States and abroad. His travels included trips to Alaska, China, Australia, and many European countries. He even traveled to Poland, the land of his ancestors. He also enjoyed antique car collecting and going to car shows. He was an avid gardener and cyclist. Through it all, Mike was a joy to be with. He is survived by three aunts, Sue Mills and Lucy Zdanowich, both of Fairfield and Ann E. Gniadek of Huntsville, Ala.; an unlce, Hank Kornacki of Seymour; devoted cousins, Dr. Thomas C. Gniadek and his wife, Kathryn of Cheshire, Susan Domke and her husband, Todd of Canton, Mass., Joan Walker and her husband, Peter of Ft. Myers, Fla., James C. Gniadek and his wife, Deb of Hamden and Mazie Zdanowich of Fairfield; and numerous other cousins of the Gniadek, Baldyga and Zdanowich families. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. from the Fairfield Funeral Home of Edmund W. Dougiello 36 South Pine Creek Rd and at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield with a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The Family would like to thank all the 8Th floor nurses, 9Th floor MICU nurses and the doctors at Smilow Cancer Center, especially Dr. Detterbeck, Dr.Scott Gettinger, Dr. Decker, Dr. Siner, Rebecca Sipple APRN, Jan Shanley,Rn. Johanna Vaquez Rn, Soyeon Jung Rn and so many others. We appreciate the kindness, caring, respect and dignity shown to Michael during his time of sickness. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in his memory to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, Office of Development, Yale New Haven Hospital, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979, in Memory of Michael J Gindek.