Michael "Mike" Lesko

1945 - 2010

Michael "Mike" Lesko died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. He was 65.

Mike was born in 1945 and lived in Seward before moving with his family to Fairbanks in 1955. Mike had many medical challenges throughout his life and survived them so remarkably that his family joked he was a cat with nine lives. A recent bout with cancer left him too weak to battle other medical issues, but even so, he never gave up fighting.

He attended Immaculate Conception School (ICS) and later, graduated from Lathrop High School. As a young man, Mike attended Denver's School of Design before deciding that art was not his calling. He entered into the apprenticeship program as an electrical lineman through the IBEW Union. In his journeyman's capacity Mike traveled all over the state and was very proud of the work he did. He always could tell a good story and loved to talk of the job with the Intertie between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Mike was tough and tenacious. He was devoted to his family, action movies and his Cadillac - in equal parts. As a creature of habit, each day Mike made his scheduled rounds consisting of visits to family members, hot lunch at the Soup Kitchen, the socializing and cards at the Alano Club; and later, shopped for dinner at Fred Meyer. And somehow he never missed an afternoon nap.

Mike had a one-of-kind personality, he was both cantankerous and endearing, and loved salty language for its shock value.

Mike is survived by his son, James Lesko, and granddaughter, Ilana Rossman of Taos, N.M.; his brother, Bill Lesko and Bill's wife, Lynda; his sister, Jinx Whitaker and Jinx's husband, Jim. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces: Bill Lesko Jr., Victoria Michael, Ann Sterle, Jody Goffredo, Christy Lawton, Tami Perry, Jennifer Whitaker, and Wendy Whitaker, and their spouses and children. Additionally, Mike leaves dear and close friends, Rosemary Fee and Carol Clayton.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Myra Lesko, and his adoptive father, George Lesko, and his natural father, Donald MacDonald.

Please join the family in a reception and remembrance ceremony to be held on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Alano Club, located at 830 6th Avenue.