Michael Zawisza

ZAWISZA

Michael



Don't you dare ask Mike "How ya doing?" Like an old, grumpy Polish man, he'd bellow and bark out his infamous trademark, "NOT GOOD". If you fell for that trap, then don't you dare ask, "Oh, why not good?" Now you're stuck in trap #2 and have to hear about anything and everything from his high blood pressure, country's recession, to dismal weather. To the unsuspecting, Mike may have come off as a grouch, but to those who knew him best knew this was his (odd) sense of humor. We'd often set him up to just watch him knock 'em down because we knew it was coming.... NOT GOOD.

Michael Stanley Zawisza was born January 12, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio. Mike grew up in the Polish Village off Lagrange Street. At an early age, Mike started his music obsession. What started with learning how to play the clarinet, Mike also learned how to play the harmonica, keyboard, drums, and most recently, the guitar. He graduated Woodward High School in 1976, where his lifetime love for hockey took hold and he hadn't missed playing a season since. Most guys who played with him will tell you, his smaller size and great speed made him a hard guy to catch on the ice. Shortly after high school, Mike had the hots for a cute strawberry blond at Dunkin Donuts. He then used his charm to get her to work at McD's with him. Soon after Karen became his wife. Working up to be a McDonald's manager, Mike pursued and succeeded to become a certified electrician through the Local 8. These skills were put to work at The Toledo Blade, First Solar, and Toledo Refinery. Although, some of his employers might have considered Mike to be a bit of a troublemaker, his co-workers would consider him more of a comedian, practical joker and most of all, a hard worker. Mike became a father of two, a daughter and a son. As a family man, most men would have their hands full and slow down, maybe take it easy. However, Mike remained extremely active and found pleasure in snowboarding. Traveling the country, he was always looking for bigger and better mountains to race and cruise on. He discovered pure snowboarding bliss in Colorado. He also enjoyed playing tennis, home improvement projects, riding his motorcycle, and saying hello to his "girlfriends" at Hooters. At the moment, his friends and family are "not good" from his untimely goodbye, yet we are filled with delight for having him in our lives. Having a sweet and sour personality, he was smart, witty, humorous, multi-talented, handy, loving and willing to help even if he'd never answer the phone.

Unfortunately, Mike had been mildly depressed after losing his job. Although things had been hopeful of going back to the workforce, his depression had fully consumed him, and sadly, Mike had taken his own life on August 22, 2015.

Mike is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen Zawisza (Cottle); his daughter, Michelle (Tom) DeMuth; his son, Tony (Jen) Zawisza; his fuzzy son, Harley (mini Schnauzer); his grandchildren, Madison, Isabelle, and Shepard; his parents, Charles and MaryAnn (Lewandowski) Zawisza; his siblings, Sandi (Tom) Banasiak, Cyndi (Jeff) Burks, Karin (Ron) Tietjen, and Ron Zawisza; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and in-laws.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2015, from 1-5 p.m. at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd. In lieu of flowers, family asks you give donations to Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation;

OhioSPF.org/donate.php

Please share condolences at:

www.sujkowski.com