Michael Douglas Wanatick

Wanatick
Michael Douglas

Michael D. Wanatick, formerly of Toledo, died April 12, 2015 in Texas at the age of 94. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the hotel business. Mike never met a stranger and was a member of the charter 19 Hotel Greeters of America. He had been a manager of The Tamarack Lodge & Inn in the Catskill Mountains of NY, the Marlin Hotel and Ritz Plaza Sky Scraper Hotel, both in Miami Beach, FL. He also was the first ticket agent for Eastern Airlines in Miami Beach.
The winter residence of the Fructhman Family brought him to Toledo to be in the steel business. After arriving there was a steel strike. So then it was on to Madison Industries of Toledo, then he became associated with Knapp Monarch of St. Louis.
Shortly after, he was invited to join Scott and Fetzer as an assistant to the president, Kirby division. Mike then was recruited by Verd-A-Ray Lighting Corp. commercial industrial lighting in Toledo as V.P. of Sales, nationally. The company was acquired by North American Phillips.
He then opened American Advertising franchises in Ohio, Michigan and Florida.
In 1993, he sold the franchises and moved to Kingwood, TX with his wife of 56 years and their son Robert, a pilot for Continental Airlines.
One of his fondest activities was with the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dog Organization. He took his own white standard poodle to resident homes and hospitals. Michael served his country during WW II as a Sergeant Major in the U. S. Army 1942-1946.
Surviving is his wife, Mary Ann Steedman Wanatick (General James B. Steedman's of Toledo granddaughter); son, Robert; nieces and nephews, Marcia Stone, Barbara Wainer, James Stone, Francis Lowenfels, Burton and Joel Wanatick and Susix and James Steedman.
Visitation will be held at the Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary, 3815 Sylvania Ave. ( at Woodley Rd.) Sunday from 3-7 p.m. where funeral services will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. Entombment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.
The family prefers memorial contributions to the Arthritis Foundation or the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.fothdorfmeyer.com