Michael Brindza

Michael Brindza Jr. was born in Czechoslovakia. He ended up making his permanent U.S. home in Arizona where he met my Aunt Olga, my mother's sister. They married and made Arizona their permanent home. I was just a kid when I first met Uncle Mike. He was kind and funny and I loved him immediately.

I remember when they took me to a local steakhouse on one of my visits to see them. Uncle Mike knew it would be a fun visit for me. He outfitted me with a necktie, which I didn't understand, and we headed off to the restaurant. Upon being seated, the waitress headed toward me with a pair of scissors. Little did I know that if you wore a necktie, it would promptly be cut off and added to the very full "necktie wall." He laughed so hard as that tie was being cut off of me! Then came time to order dinner. Aunty Olga and Uncle Mike both ordered steaks, medium. He knew I liked mine well done which is what I ordered. When our dinners arrived, Uncle Mike and Aunty Olga's steaks looked juicy and delicious. Then mine came, a dried up old brown cowboy boot on a plate which signified how the steakhouse felt about well done meat. After we all got a big laugh, the waitress took the boot away and served me my well done steak. It was a fun dinner!

Years passed and I visited Uncle Mike and Aunty Olga with my husband Cliff and our daughters, Nikki and Kristin. Uncle Mike told us stories about when he was in the Army and that he was in the service even before he became a U.S. citizen.

Uncle Mike and Aunty Olga's marriage was truly a match made in heaven. She supported him through all the years he battled diabetes (since his 40's) and he was always there for her before and during her days in Hospice.

We will miss you Uncle Mike but many pleasant memories will always remain.

Love Debbie and Cliff

Michael Brindza, Jr. was my uncle. He was married to my Aunt Olga who was my father's sister.

I have many fond memories of Uncle Mike and Aunt Olga and my visits to Arizona (I live in Michigan). I remember visiting them in their Phoenix home with my mom (my dad was not much of a traveler!) and spending time in their awesome backyard pool. One day Uncle Mike said he was taking us on a drive. That drive was up the mountain to Mount Jerome. Although I was a bit scared, he said it was ok and not to be scared. I felt better and we had a great time.

They eventually moved to Payson where my mom and I visited and this time I had to drive up the mountain. He made the best chicken noodle soup and knew how much I loved it. He took us all to the casino at the end of the block and knew my money wouldn't last long there, and it didn't. He smiled and said, "You're done. Let's go eat!"

Several years later, I went to Tempe on a business trip and made sure to visit Uncle Mike and Aunt Olga. I went with Uncle Mike in the mornings to walk their dog Taffy, a Pomeranian. I think this was the third Pomeranian they named Taffy! I remember the mountains being so beautiful but not so fun to drive up and down (again)! Once again, Uncle Mike made his special chicken noodle soup for me.

Years went by but we always kept in touch. Then when Aunt Olga became sick and was in hospice, Uncle Mike took such good care of her. When she passed, he took on the responsibility of calling me on my birthday every year. I called him on his birthday and holidays and periodically throughout the year so we could keep in touch.

I will miss you Uncle Mike. You are now with your true love, Aunt Olga. Love (your niece), Denise.