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Michael Okraska Obituary
Michael was born July 24, 1942, in Hartford, the son of the late Raymond and Helen (Figella) Okraska. Michael proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and completed three campaigns in Vietnam. Michael, a decorated veteran, retired from the Marine Corps in 1982 after 23 years to his country. He also retired from the former Baran Institute of Technology in 2008 where he was the Chair of Automotive and Diesel Departments.
In addition to his wife Judy, to whom he was married 49 years, he is also survived by three children, Michael E. Okraska, II and his wife, Nancy, of Stafford, Samantha Okraska-Marszalek and her boyfriend, Glenn Hastie, of East, Longmeadow, Mass., and Robin Doran and her husband, Heath, of Barkhamsted; two brothers, Raymond Okraska and his wife, Sheila, of Somers, Anthony Okraska and his wife, Paulette, of Georgia; three sisters, Karen Sakalouski and her husband, Gerald, and Ann Mackey, all of Enfield, Cynthia Peer and her husband, Robert, of Windsor; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Michael was predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth DiBacco, and a brother, Bruce Okraska.
Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, from 4-8 p.m. at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Route 190, Somers, CT.
A funeral service for Michael will be celebrated on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 383 Hazard Ave. (Route 190), Enfield, CT. Michael will be buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
For online expressions of sympathy or directions please visit
www.somersfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Okraska
Mary
June 4, 2013
With Honor.
Barbara Stavens
May 30, 2013
The Simlick girls are sorry to hear about your loss and Bruce also. I recall many times our parents brought us over and your mom would invite us to dinner. We were practally family it seemed then. But we have all spread out and loss contact. God bless you all. Barbara Stavens and Sisters
Dennis Thibodeau
May 29, 2013
Mike, I will miss you tremendously. I enjoyed all our years flying our models at NCRCC and working with you for many years at the club auction. To Mikes family, my deepest condolances to yo all. Mike was a master model builder and his love for modeling showed in his R/C aircraft. He was a true friend and I shall miss him too.
Dan Camarco
May 28, 2013
dear miss Judy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. not only you but America has lost a good man. I had the pleasure of working with Mike @ Baran Institute. He was the best.
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Jo Tullock
May 27, 2013
Judy & Family - I am so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I'll always remember him fondly for his kindness (he used to move my car at DTI when the lawn service was around so it wouldn't get scratched, he'd scrape the car windows if we had a snowstorm & even warm it up for me before I had to leave for the day!!) May he rest in peace!
Ronald Torrito
May 25, 2013
I met Mike through a mutual hobby of flying radio control airplanes and soon found out he was a very generous and giving person who always thought to help others. I used to call him "Dr. Airplane" because people who had problems with their airplanes would bring those models to him and he would gladly repair them. He will be sadly missed by many of the people in the radio controlled model community and myself, included.
Christine Caswell
May 25, 2013
Dear Judy and Okraska family,
I am so sorry to hear of Michaels passing. Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for you all today. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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