William J. MIHALIAK Sr.

MIHALIAK, William J. Sr. William J. Mihaliak, Sr., 76, of Mihaliak Rd., Willington, CT, loving husband of 40 years to Anita Mihaliak, died at home on Thursday, (April 29, 2010), surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Willington, CT at the farm house of the late Andrew and Mary (Malinak) Mihaliak and resided in Willington at the family farm, Mihaliak Dairy Farm, his entire life. William was the proud owner and operator of Mihaliak Dairy Farm since 1969; he increased the family dairy herd from 25 milking cows to 175 milking cows at the time of the sale of the herd. Since 2003 he was a full time hay and beef farmer providing a quality product for thousands of animals. He loved agriculture and the outdoors and instilled that same love in his wife Anita (Thiesing) Mihaliak with whom he ran the farm with side by side. He was always overjoyed to teach his children and grandchildren how to do things around the farm which lead to all of them sharing that same love that he had. He was a member of the St. Edward Parish, the Tolland County Farm Bureau, and the Connecticut Farm Bureau. He is survived by his two daughters and two son in laws Jean M. and Anthony Hurd of Union, CT, and Brenda and Erick Wildes of New Hartford, CT; and a son William Mihaliak of Willington, CT. His greatest joy was spending time in his "retirement" with his grandchildren, Taylor "sweetie" Hurd and Dustin "buddy" Hurd with whom he shared his love of agriculture with. During his battle with prostate cancer his greatest drive was to see his newest grandchild "Junior" Wildes born and he fought valiantly to meet him. William is survived by one brother, John Mihaliak, of Willington, CT; and six sisters, Mary Wojtowicz of Middletown, CT, Rose Pavuk of Webster, MA, Ann Favreau of Auburn, MA, Margaret Harrison of Willington, CT, Veronica Tremko of Stafford Springs, CT, and Mildred Wajdula of Springfield, MA and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph Mihaliak and Andrew Mihaliak; a sister, Helen Bushey; and a nephew Bradley Bushey. His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010, with a procession forming by 9 a.m. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Edward Church, High St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will follow in St. Edward Cemetery, Stafford Springs, CT. Calling hours are on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Connecticut, Hospice Fund, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066, or to the Willington Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 161, Willington, CT 06279. For online condolences or directions, please visit www. introvignefuneralhome.com.