Michael Sylvester Pukish Jr.

Michael S. Pukish, Jr., age 92, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024. Surrounded by loved ones in his Fresno home, Mike left this world just in time to be with his late wife, Livia, on the eve of what would have been their 72nd anniversary.
Mike was born on June 13, 1931, to Michael, Sr. and Catherine Pukish in Rochester, New York. He grew up working in his family's bar and grill, called The Pukish Grill. While attending Benjamin Franklin High School, Mike excelled as a wrestler before graduating in 1949. Mike enlisted in the army before earning his Associate in Applied Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He then began his career as a plant and engineering manager for various New York companies, such as Kodak, Xerox and the John L. Klug Corporation.
In the early 1960s, Mike played a key role in assisting the Stromberg-Carlson Company with their Talos printed circuit boards, and while employed at Vogt Manufacturing in Rochester, Mike worked on several important inventions, eventually patenting the wrestler's headgear still used today, as well as the first child auto safety harness.
Mike's passions turned toward plastics when he formed his own manufacturing company, Xpanded Systems, Inc., which was on the cutting edge of blow molding injection plastics, making components for Xerox and Kodak, specifically for the Apollo space missions. Mike's career eventually brought him to California where one of his major accomplishments was to help design, implement and staff the new manufacturing facility for Grundfos Pumps in Clovis.
Mike met the love of his life, Livia Petruccelli, shortly after high school and they were married in 1952. The couple had first met at the Ukrainian Club in Rochester where they shared a love of dancing. For years, the couple was known to clear the dance floor with their fast-paced polka moves! Mike and Livia eventually had six children, Cathy Mallory (husband Richard), Susan Sorenson (husband David), Ann Pukish (deceased), Michele King (husband Glen), Cindy Jaccard (husband Kenneth), and Michael Pukish III. Their beloved grandchildren were the light of their lives: Eric Mallory, Kevin Mallory, Joseph Mallory, Julie Mallory, Timothy Sorenson (deceased), Rachael Bourque, Peter Sorenson, Sarah Sorenson, Mark Sorenson, Alyssa Sorenson, Collin King, Erin Powell, Joshua Jaccard, Crystal Jaccard, and Noelle Jaccard, along with over 20 great grandchildren. There was nothing more important to Michael and Livia than their family. After Livia passed, Mike made a notebook with everyone's birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions written in it. He would always remember loved ones with a card or phone call.
Eventually, Mike retired after surviving stage 4 colon cancer and double bypass heart surgery. When Livia developed Alzheimer's Disease, Mike tirelessly cared for her for over three years until she passed peacefully in their home in 2012. As with all challenges Mike faced, he did so without complaint, while putting his faith in God. Mike was very active at St. Anthony of Padua Church, serving as an usher and lector for many years. He attended daily and Sunday mass, and was active in the Knights of Columbus and Italian Catholic Federation, as well as the church's homebound ministry, taking communion to several parishioners each week. Mike was extremely generous and donated to numerous charities that were close to his heart.
Mike's hobbies included working out at the gym, which he continued into his 90's, as well as performing in the New Wrinkles Show at Fresno Community College, as a ballroom dancer, tap dancer and singer. He also loved singing with three choirs; the Clovis Community Choir, the Fresno Retired Teacher's Choir, and the St. Anthony of Padua church choir. In 2018, at age 87, Mike decided to challenge himself further and auditioned for America's Got Talent as a singer. His favorite part of that experience was meeting all the wonderful people. Mike made friends easily with his kind, selfless heart, his generous nature and great sense of humor. He was humble, caring and never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know him.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. and a Recitation of Rosary at 6 p.m. at Farewell Funeral Service on Locust Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Maroa at Bullard Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Kidney Fund, American Cancer Society, or one of Mike's favorite charities, Saint Patrick Fathers of Chicago.