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From:
Robin Jozwiak
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Saturday, January 16, 2021
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I have such fond memories of my brother-in-law Mike, the very first time I met him, he welcomed me into his home with a big hug, he was sincere in making me feel like I was a part of the family. Better than anything, he made me laugh!!! I saw what a hardworking man Mike was, how dedicated to Kathy and Michael he was (remember this was 1986) and how providing for them came first and foremost. Every time I saw him it was the same way, the same great hug, the same warm feeling that I was loved and the same laughter. I immediately knew that if the man I was dating (his brother Jay) had half the character of Mike, that Jay was the man I wanted to marry. That this was a family I wanted to be part of. Thank you, Mike, for showing me what a GREAT, husband, father and friend should look like.
Now let me take another moment to share the following … I have always heard that when you dream of someone who has passed, that it is that someone visiting you. Five nights after Mike passed away, I had that dream. I was in a parking lot parked in my car - alongside my car was a huge brown building. All of the sudden from behind the end of the building, out comes a group of bridesmaids in their bridesmaid’s dresses, some with shoes, some without. Dancing up a storm. Next thing I know, out slides Mike across the parking lot like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. (thank goodness he skipped the underwear scene and had a tux on) He was dancing with the “Mike Dance Moves” - knuckles folded under and pinky and thumbs out - you can see an example picture in the gallery. I pulled my car close to him. I put my window down as he came up to the car window, he leaned into the car and I gave him a big hug and said, I love you Mike and he said I love you too! I woke up after that – my heart was warmed, believing he is at peace and wanted me to know this and more importantly I know this was for Jay. Mike wanted Jay to know he is OK!!!
Mike, you will always be remembered for your crazy dance moves, your contagious smile, all the laughter and full of love hugs. I just want you to know, if I had to do it all over again, I would still pick you to be my brother-in-law!!! Again, I love you!
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From:
Jessica Jozwiak
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Saturday, January 16, 2021
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Anyone who knew Uncle Mike knew that he was as best as they come. His smile could light up a room and he was hilarious without even trying (my stomach would ache after hanging out with him!) but what I will miss the most are his hugs...when Uncle Mike hugged you, he REALLY hugged you. It was the biggest strongest warmest hug in the world and you could just feel the immense love in each and every one of them. Until our next big bear hug Uncle Mike - I love you always!
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From:
Jay Jozwiak
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Saturday, January 16, 2021
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Great doesn’t even begin to explain how having Mike as a big brother was. There was never a moment when he didn't watch out for me and have my back – even times when we both knew I was in the wrong, Mike was ALWAYS still there for me.
I remember when my parents would go out Mike used to sneak us out of the house, and he would take me to Cricket Hill in the winter – We would sled down that hill all day long! In the summer we would ride our bikes down the hill trying to pop wheelies to see who could go the furthest. When we first started doing that, I told Mike you go first, how hard could it be? Needless to say, it was harder than it looked, and Mike crashed. At that point I could see he was not happy, but what were big brothers for, right? Another favorite memory is when Mike bought a white Honda 305 motorcycle, and he would take me out cruising – man, we thought we were so cool! Our household life and upbringing were not a good one, so these outings were always a great escape from reality for us.
Mike and our father just never got along. (honestly, none of us got along with our father) The ole man was always on his case and finally he said if you don’t like it get out. Mike took him up on that and unfortunately, I didn’t get to see him that much, but when he did stop by, we’d hang out and he’d play the guitar. Eventually, Mike had enough arguing with the ole man and went into the Navy. I always cherished the time we were able to spend together when he was home on leave. I remember we went and saw him graduate from boot camp at Great Lakes, and I could not have been prouder of him.
Once Mike finished his time in the Navy and came home, the very next day he started working at United Motor Coach (which is now Pace) as a driver. I asked him “Don’t you want some free time first? He said he wanted to get started on his job. And THAT is Mike! He worked hard, he worked constantly, and never once complained about it. His work ethic is something I had never seen before and it certainly inspired me to attempt to match it, to take care of my family the way he always took care of his, and for that I will be forever thankful and am so proud to call him my big brother.
As time goes on – life, work and family make it difficult to get together, (as days, months, and years pass by we go on never really thinking how times like these could come sooner than later) but Mike and I always made the effort to talk and text each other throughout the year. As small as those quick check-ins or messages may have been it was our way of saying I love you and I miss you. In fact, in one of our last texts, I said to Mike “Why don’t we meet at Don’s Dock for lunch? I’ll buy.” Mike (and his dedication) said he was on his route and that he had to eat his lunch on the bus … so when we meet again, lunch is on you big brother. I will miss those texts and calls more than words can express, but I hold the memory of you close in my heart for the rest of my days. Rest in peace big brother, I love you!
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From:
Eileen Vanderburg
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Friday, January 15, 2021
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I remember going to dinner by Kathy and Mike and after dinner Mike pulls out a guitar and started playing. He told me how he had taught himself to play the guitar and Organ and that it was something he did to relax. I was amazed that he was able to do that. To this day anytime I hear the song My little run away I think of Mike. His love of music clearly got passed down to his children. A few times I ended up on one of his buses and was amazed at the amount of people who would get on that knew his name, and him theirs. He was patient with the riders who had questions and always had a smile on his face. He was quick with the jokes and loved the one liners. He took such pride in his family and their accomplishments. He wasn't an overly vocal person but if you watched he would often be looking around at his family and had a smile on his face . He had such a calming personality that always put me at ease. Rest is peace Mike. Remember you were loved and will be missed.
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From:
Melinda Metzger
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Monday, January 11, 2021
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On behalf of Pace and myself, our deepest sympathies go out to Mike’s family. His work ethic, loyalty to his profession and his ability to mentor his coworkers during his career at Pace was admirable. When I started at NORTRAN, he was someone I could always rely on if I had a question and was always ready to assist whenever needed. Mike was a very special person who will truly be missed. We will keep your family in our thoughts.
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From:
Maureen Zizzo
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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
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Mike was such an amazing human and we were so blessed to have him in our life. He was a man with a great sense of humor, an infectious smile and a very positive outlook on life. Mike had a very special way of making everyone he was with feel like they were his bestie. He was quick with a zinger but never said an unkind word about others. In more then 40 years, I never saw him without that fun twinkle in his eye.
If you were lucky enough to attend a celebration of any type with Mike, you knew he had the gift of feeling music in his soul. He loved music and it was obvious by his dance moves that he felt the rhythm.
We loved Mike and will miss his presence on earth.
May God Bless and comfort Kathy, his children and his grandchildren with a lifetime of fond memories with this amazing human.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
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From:
sean donnelly
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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Like everyone else I always loved Mike's humor,quick wit,his catch phrases,and his sarcasm. I must add it was so much fun when he would break out the guitar and play all those old Rock n roll songs I love so much. But most of all, I just like being around him.
Here's to a live well lived. Salute.
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From:
Barbara Donnelly
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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Mike, knowing well your humility, I am sure you are embarrassed by all the tributes to you but you deserve every one and more. Early in your life you learned perseverance. Although you couldn't read music, you wanted to play the piano and the guitar. You didn't give up. You kept up until you mastered both. And, to watch you on the dance floor was always a treat. Music was in your DNA. Forty eight years at Pace is certainly unheard of today. But to add to that 35 years as an Auxiliary Officer in Rosemont is hard to wrap your head around. You accomplished both with dedication and loyalty. You knew all your passengers by name AND their families through the stories they shared with you. Your humility didn't allow you to talk about yourself but you never missed a change to talk about your children's accomplishments. And when something wasn't right you listened with love and compassion. Of course, I can't leave out your delicious sense of humor that was with you 'til the end. That same sense of humor saw me through many a rough patch. So what is your legacy, Mike. It's an unprecedented loyalty, love of family and friends, compassion, humility, perseverance, a strong sense of humor, especially when things get tough. Mike, I know you were known to most of us as Mike but as Frank to the folks in Rosemont but I was proud to call you my "son"-in-law. Rest in peace and enjoy that three million mile jacket.
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From:
Sherry Donnelly
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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One of the best surprises happened over 40 years ago - The man that I had known as "my cool high school bus driver", who always greeted me every morning with that warm smile and also the more that occasional quick witted comment as he held up the bus as I came running late was going to now become " my cool brother-in-law. The day that door opened, when Kathy's brother introduced me to her and her husband I was greeted with that familiar warm smile and welcomed into the family. Through the years, I've watched him work two jobs diligently to lovingly provide all he could for his beloved family. I learned he had a talent/love for music which has been passed on to his children. I also learned the man who was constantly in one uniform or another was one the most genuinely kind hearted souls there was. May you Rest in Peace now and know that you will truly be missed.
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From:
Barbara Mitchell
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Monday, January 4, 2021
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I along with many others have lost a brother, and a very good friend. Mike was a lifelong friend to me. I was only a young dumb kid when I met him, and from the beginning, we were family. Along the way, we became not just family, but friends. I used to just get on the bus route with him, and ride along with him all day. I will greatly miss his quick wit, and contagious laughter. He always, and I mean always, had a great smile and laugh that no matter what was going on, made people instantly feel better. Mike and I always seemed to find each other at family functions, and always tended to just hang with each other. Mike was always cracking jokes with Tony and I. Mike always showed Tony how much he liked him, by flipping him off every chance he got, and it was a game that he would always be first to do it when they were together. And he never passed up an opportunity to remind Tony, that he was "packing". I am grateful that I had so many great years knowing Mike, and even more grateful for all the memories that so many years have brought me. I will always have fond memories of Mike. Everyone knows what a hard worker he was, and that he provided for his family, but he was also, just "good people". I will miss Mike dearly. Rest in Peace Mike, my brother and my friend.
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From:
Joseph Donnelly
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Saturday, January 2, 2021
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There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone we love. I was told and I know this to be true, LOVE DOESN'T DIE;, PEOPLE DO. Mike's love for you is in each of those six children, his love for you and for life itself is in each of them. Enjoy them ,and support them as they support you during this difficult period. Mikes love for you is forever and you for him.
Keep your eyes open. Because during this time you can expect to sense some of the blessings and miracles that become part of your day because of your love . Uncle Joe
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From:
George Rivera
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Saturday, January 2, 2021
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Dear Mike,
Though it's been quite a while since we last saw each other I can still remember when we first met. I was only 11 years old in the summer of 65 when we moved in on Windsor Ave in Chicago. A few days later I met this crazy family of Jozwiaks that lived right across the street and in no time at all we were all hanging out, having fun and getting into all sorts of trouble, just like inner city kids do sometimes.
I spent most of my time with Hank and Jay because you were in the Navy so I only saw you when you were on leave but but shortly afterward you were discharged and came home.
One of the things I remember most was the contrast in your personality when compared to your brothers. They were outgoing and gregarious but you were not. You were more laid back and always had a calm demeanor about you and you had a subtle but good sense of humor. If I remember right, you were a pretty good guitar player too! You always conducted yourself well and carried that "big brother" aura around wherever you went. You quickly gained and have always had my respect and the respect of others who were fortunate enough to cross your path.
Mike, you were a good, hard working loving man. You lived your life the best way you knew how and you loved, provided for and protected your family to the best of your ability. That's what a friggin man is supposed to do!
You were the hardest working guy I've ever met and I tell you, if these kids today could be HALF of what Mike Jozwiak was this world would be a much better place to live in. My money says you've already got a job up there driving people from the Pearly Gates to the "Big Guy's" house!
Mike, you will always be my brother and my friend. The light from this world shines a little bit dimmer now that you are gone but you will live on in our hearts and minds forever.
Rest in Peace, Brother. You deserve it.
George
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From:
Scott Shapiro
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Friday, January 1, 2021
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We lived next to Mike and family for close to 30 years, and enjoyed a few vacations with them in Aruba. Our backyards were connected by a gate so that the ever so frequent dinners and other activities where made easier. So, to say that we knew Mike pretty well is a given.
Mike lived his life to “The Code Of an Old Knight" with of course a sarcastic undertone.
If you called Mike a friend, what you could expect was loyalty, respect and the un- questioned help if ever required.
His dedication to family, friends and both jobs were nothing short of classic old school commitment.
For the people that knew Mike best, his sense of humor and sarcasm made challenging days easier to cope with.
Rest in Peace Bonehead, you will be missed by many.
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Jessica Jozwiak
1/19/2021 at 10:43 AM
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1/16/2021 at 4:47 PM
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Stephanie
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Jay
(Brother)
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Scott
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Terry
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Terry
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