Michael Petlansky

Michael A. Petlansky
"Pepi the Clown"












"Anything you can do to put smiles on faces is worth the effort." ~ Michael Petlansky

Michael A. Petlansky of Santa Maria passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on January 6, 2012, at the age of 90. Michael was born on December 14, 1921, in Johnstown, PA, to Michael and Mary Petlansky. Michael was one of 11 children.
Having grown up in poverty, Michael began to devote much of his time to helping the less fortunate. At 17, he joined the California Conservation Corps in New Mexico as a Supply Sergeant. There he visited a poverty-stricken Navajo Indian Reservation. He brought them medical supplies, sporting equipment and organized games for the children. To show their appreciation, the Indians made him an honorary Navajo Chief and presented him with a ceremonial ring. After the CCC's, he served in the Army from 1942 - 1945. In 1949, Michael worked as a manager of a 5 and 10 cent store. There he took broken toys home to repair for needy children. Later while working at Norton AFB, he began a program, "Project Santa Claus," to collect food for the Salvation Army warehouse to distribute at Christmas. In 1959, he was employed at Vandenberg AFB as the Chief of Logistics Management for ballistic missiles. There Michael started "Operation Big Brother," now called "Operation Kids Christmas," to give needy children "a Christmas of a lifetime." The event brings 200 children to the base each year. Each child is paired with an airman to serve as their escort and goes home with a big bag of gifts and certificates for food and clothing. The event has continued for more than a half a century. Michael loved attending yearly and later entertaining the children there as "Pepi the Clown."
As an active member of the Elks Lodge, Michael founded the Kadiddlehopper Clown Club that entertained at senior centers, hospitals and marched in parades. Later he branched out on his own as "Pepi the Clown" and continued the mission to spread cheer. In 1990, he started "Pepi's Rangers," a clown club for children ages 6 to 16. The Rangers got to accompany Pepi on his many trips to entertain the less fortunate and residents of convalescent hospitals. Michael taught them the art of clowning, making balloon creations and magic tricks.
Michael was presented with numerous awards for his charity efforts throughout the years including USA Today's "Make a Difference Day award for Outstanding Individual" for visiting, along with Pepi's Rangers, children with severe physical disabilities and many elderly residents at a care center. He was invited to the White House and acknowledged by President Bill Clinton for this award. The City of Santa Maria honored him by proclaiming December 5th, 1998, "Mike Petlansky - Pepi the Clown Day" in recognition of "his worthwhile efforts in entertaining individuals and for his kind generosity in helping out the less fortunate."
Michael's hobbies included collecting military patches - he had over 4,000 of them - gardening, but most of all playing racquetball and table tennis. Michael was an avid racquetball and table tennis player. He was a fierce competitor into his mid-eighties. Michael won several medals for competing in senior Olympic competitions nationally. He was always looking for someone to come over so he could "beat him at a game of pool" or "table tennis." For several years, he acted as Racquetball Pro for the Santa Maria Racquetball Club.
He enjoyed visiting his friends that previously operated the Union Hotel. There Michael spent many evenings playing table tennis and shuffleboard. He entertained hotel guests in the saloon with ghost stories and gave tours of the grounds.
Michael always told his family how much he loved them and how beautiful he thought they were. He will be deeply missed by them.
Michael was preceded in death by parents, Michael Petlansky and Mary Kolostyak Mesaros, brother Andy Petlansky, and five half brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lee Petlansky; his children, Shelley Watkins, Steve Petlansky, Sharon McGinnis (Thomas), Mickey Petlansky (Cynthia), Julee Herkelrath (Bill), stepson Johnny Chong; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; brother Alex Mesaros, and sisters Mary Muharsky, Irene Kulba and Janet Killinger and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 16, at the Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary followed by a celebration of Michael's life.
Memorial donations in memory of Michael Petlansky can be made to Operation Kids Christmas, P.O. Box 5956, VAFB, CA 93437 or Marian Hospice, 1400 E. Church, Santa Maria, CA 93454.