Michael Michalski

We'll never forget a day in Washington, D.C., when Mike Michalski-beloved husband, father, and grandfather-dropped us off in front of the U.S. Capitol for our tour while he headed to a legislator's office for an AMVETS meeting. Partway through, our Capitol tour was unexpectedly cut short, so we wandered over to the Library of Congress and then the U.S. Supreme Court.
This was long before everyone had a cell phone in their pocket, so our plan was simple: meet Dad back at the Capitol steps at the agreed time. But when his meetings ended early, he didn't wait for us there. Somehow-without a single call or clue he walked right into the Supreme Court in the middle of our tour, calm as could be, as if he had known exactly where we were all along. That was Mike in a nutshell: never frantic, never searching, just in tune with his family in a way that defied explanation. We used to joke that we must have been fitted with invisible tracking devices before AirTags were even imagined. The truth is, he didn't need technology-he simply had an unshakable instinct for finding us, for keeping us close, and for making sure we were never truly lost.
Michael "Mike" Michalski passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, after an extended battle with esophageal cancer.
Born in Mansfield, Ohio, to Michael and Edna (Forman) Michalski, Mike graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1965. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving six years and stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Vietnam era. While on leave from Okinawa, he visited home with his best friend Jimmy Hannigan. It was during that visit that he met Jimmy's sister Patricia Hannigan, who became his best friend and future wife.
After returning to civilian life, Mike joined Mid-State Industrial Trucks in sales, however, music remained as his true passion. He inherited his father's gift for playing nearly any instrument by ear, though the saxophone was his greatest love. He performed with his father's big band and later fronted his own ensemble as lead vocalist and saxophonist, performing across Ohio.
Mike's devotion to veterans never wavered. He was active in AMETS, serving as Ohio State Commander from 2000-2001 and earning the honor of State Commander of the Year. He later joined the team that built a new veterans' home in Georgetown, Ohio, serving as Warehouse Superintendent and later as Public Information Officer until retirement.
Mike and Pat celebrated 57 years of marriage, raising three daughters-Dawn Michalski Demer (Keith), Karen Michalski Susi (Jon), and Collette Michalsk Tucker (Kevin). After retirement, they enjoyed over a decade in The Villages, Florida, where they treasured golf outings, card games, beach days, travel adventures, and live music.
He was a man of many passions: Sunday drives without a map, golf, boating, cooking, and card and board games. To his seven grandchildren-Domonic Susi, Anthony Demler, Demetrius Susi, Chandler Demler, Christopher Demler, Calvin Tucker, and Cameron Tucker-he wasn't just Grandpa. He was "Touchdown" or "Pop Pop,". Mornings at Touchdown's meant epic breakfasts: epic French toast, and unparalleled sausage gravy and biscuits. Pop Pop was the master of soups, mastering bean and ham or turkey noodle soup.
Mike's heart extended to all living things. Once, when a koi fish from the family's ornamental pond was pulled from the water lifeless, without hesitation he gave it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Against all odds, the fish revived and swam away. That moment became family legend, a perfect example of his instinct to care for any creature in need, no matter how small.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters and their spouses (whom he considered sons); his grandchildren; brothers-in-law Jimmy Hannigan, Denny Hannigan, and Buzz Smith; sisters-in-law Marion, Jessie, and Kathy Hannigan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, twin sister Michelle, and older sisters Nancy and Frannie.
A Celebration of Life will be held in The Villages, Florida, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a veterans' organization of your choice.
Mike truly was his family's GPS-always ready to guide, to give, and to love. In every season of his life, he was our compass-whether leading us through unfamiliar streets, filling the air with the soulful notes of his saxophone, or gathering us around the table for one of his legendary breakfasts. To his grandchildren, "Touchdown" and "Pop Pop" weren't just nicknames; they were titles of love. He navigated life the way he played music and cooked meals-by heart, with warmth, and with a rhythm all his own. Though we will miss his steady presence, we carry his melody, his recipes, and his unfailing sense of direction within us, always leading us home.