Milan Michael Panicek

Panicek, Milan Michael, passed into the Loving Arms of His Lord on September 21, 2010 at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Laguna Hills, CA. He was preceded by his wife, Helen Marecek Panicek, of 64 years, his parents, Martin and Josephine (Vavrik) Panicek of Binghamton, NY, and his brother Fred of Johnson City, NY. Milan is survived by his sister Rose Meaney and husband Leo (Johnson City, NY), sons, John and his wife JoAnne (Farmington, CT), David and his partner Jay (NYC), Mark and his wife Kathy (Kila, MT) and three grandchildren, Amy Carlson (Milford, CT), Kimberly (Washington, DC), and Lauren (Seattle). He is also survived by his twin great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Katherine Carlson. Milan also had numerous nieces and nephews. Milan attended Binghamton public schools and started working for Endicott Johnson Shoe Company. He then enlisted in the US Army Artillery to serve in WWII as a Master Sergeant of a 155mm Heavy Artillery Company deployed to North Africa, Anzio and Rome, and D-day Southern France. He was awarded the Purple Heart, and discharged in 1945. He helped to organize many reunions for his artillery battalion and was known for his hillarious jokes. He was an avid deer and rabbit hunter and enjoyed trout fishing. He retired from IBM Endicott, NY. As a 26 year resident of Laguna Woods, he was an outstanding pool champion and poker player. His favorite teams were the Yankees and the Lakers. Special thanks go to his caregivers Gail Minichiello, Connie and Anita, and Lauri and Twiggy from Silverado Hospice, and all the caring staff at Country Villa. Dad will be greatly missed by his entire family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that donations be made to either the Lutheran Church of the Cross, Laguna Hills, or Silverado Hospice, San Juan Capistrano, CA. A visitation hour will be held on Thursday, October 21, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 am.