Frank W. Michaels

Frank W. Michaels
of Owego, N.Y.
Frank W. Michaels, 97, of Owego, went to be with his Lord on Friday, September 14, 2007, from his home with his daughter by his side. He went peacefully and said just last week that he had a good life. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 62 years, Pauline (Zbrzezniak) Michaels; and his brother, Stanley Smith. He is survived by his daughter, Bernadette F. and son-in-law, Jim Brown, Owego; grandchildren and their spouses, Jeff and Terri Brown, Broomfield, Colo., Kevin Brown, Owego, Shelly Brown, Clifton Park, Jamie and Dan Deats, Troy; his great-grandchildren, Sarah and Greg Brown, Alexis and Lukas Brown, Nick Bayly, Ron and Brock Deats; sister-in-law, Marcia Smith and nephew, Stanley Smith, Jr., Florida. Frank was born in Scranton, Pa., and his family moved to Johnson City when he was young. He attended school for only a few years, as was typical then, and started working at the age of 14 to support his brothers and sisters. Frank was a self-made man with an incredible work ethic and became proficient at many jobs throughout his long life. He enlisted in the Army and served in the territory of Hawaii from 1930 to 1933 as a blacksmith for Army horses and mules. During one of his furloughs back home, he met his future wife at a party. They were a handsome couple. Frank was a longtime employee of Endicott-Johnson shoe factory. He worked the boot heeling machines and was an EJ fireman, guarding the rubber reclaim plant during WWII. Frank was very proud of his Polish heritage but changed his name from Mikolajczyk to Michaels when he went into business, because he felt no one would be able to spell it. Frank and Pauline attended nursing school and established, owned and operated the Glenmary Nursing Home from 1949-67. He was a well respected business owner and mentor. He was instrumental in organizing the NYS Nursing Home Association, was active from 1950-67, and traveled the state lobbying for nursing home owners. Frank was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Owego. He was a volunteer in many organizations in Owego, including a life member of Owego Moose Club and BPOE Elks Lodge #1039 and member of the Elks 13 Club, a member of the Republican Party, past board member of the Tioga Boys and Girls Club where he was awarded the Bronze Keystone award and the Man and Boy Award. Frank loved to tell stories of hunting in the Adirondacks, fishing for tuna off the N.J. coast, and visiting his family and brother, Stan, owner of Sloppy Joe's Bar on Duval Street in Key West, Fla. He recalled taking the train from Binghamton to Yankees stadium with his buddies. Frank took great pride in his large lawn and mowed more than 6 acres on his Kubota tractor until this July. He read the newspaper daily, watched the stock market, and was an avid poker player. Until recently he played poker every Thursday night with friends. He was loved by many and will be missed. His family would like to thank the staff of Hospice for their support though Frank's short battle with lung cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, Owego. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank Michaels' memory to the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 181, Owego, N.Y. 13827, or Hospice at Lourdes, 4102 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.