Obituary of Michal Zmijewski

Michal “Mike” “Mihow” Zmijewski, 78, of Pine Street, Keeseville, passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2023 at UVM Health Network - CVPH, Plattsburgh with his loving family by his side. Mike was born in Warsaw, Poland on December 7th, 1944, the son of Stanislas Zmijewski and Adela (Batkowska) Fedorowicz. He arrived in Montreal on April 11th, 1959 at the age of 14. He migrated to the United States on April 13th, 1959 where he was united with his father in Dayton, Ohio. On January 23rd, 1963, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a photographer where he learned he had a true passion for taking photos. Throughout his life, he enjoyed using the skills he learned in the military to capture memories of everyone important to him. He could always be caught behind a camera at weddings, birthdays, family functions, and especially his grandkids first days of school. On April 9th, 1963, he was stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force base where he met the love of his life, Marjorie Garcia. In March 1964, it is a well-known fact that on their first date Marge was late by 3 hours. Mike sat on a bench outside Jerry’s Subs patiently waiting for her. It didn’t take much time for the two of them to realize they were meant to be together forever as they were married 6 months later on September 19th, 1964 at St. Johns the Baptist Church in Keeseville. They lived happily ever after for 58 years. After Mike’s honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, they remained in Springfield, Massachusetts until December 1971 when they returned to Marge’s hometown of Keeseville to raise their two children close to her family. Mike was an employee of Rosebud Creamery, the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Keeseville, and Lawson Products where he became affectionately nicknamed “Nuts and Bolts” by many of his customers. Mike became a member of the Keeseville Elks Lodge in 1988 and remained in good standing for 34 years. He was very proud to go through the chairs and become their Exalted Ruler for their 1996-1997 lodge year. He was especially honored when he was chosen as their Elk of the Year in 2004. Mike’s favorite past time was being with his family, whether it was watching his children and grandchildren at school events, holiday gatherings, or sitting around their pool. He loved nothing more than having a houseful of family and friends laughing and having a good time! Left to cherish in his memory are his wife of 58 years, Marjorie (Garcia) Zmijewski, his son, Scot Zmijewski and his daughter and son-in-law, Tonia and Albert Lehoisky. Mike also leaves the apples of his eye, his 5 grandchildren, Joshua, Jessica and Jena Finnegan and Megan and Emilia (Emma) Zmijewski as well as his 3 step-grandchildren, Danika, Gavin and Joey Lehoisky. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Voytek and Krystyna Zmijewski, Matthew and Connie Zmijewski, Bruce and Margorie Garcia, his sister, Isabela Cichocka, sister-in-law, Shirley Gordon and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sandra and Dick Clodgo and many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his family from a distance still remaining in Poland. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his father and mother-in-law, Emilio “Jack” and Virginia Garcia, his stepmother, Barbara Zmijewski, his niece, Ann (Gordon) Tromblee, and his partner in crime, brother-in-law, Alan Gordon. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the North Country Honor Flight or JCEO’s Transportation department. Mike was very proud to be an American and to serve his country as well as transporting individuals to appointments in his retirement years. Both of these causes were close to his heart. Relatives and friends are invited to call, Monday, January 9, 2023 from 11 to Noon at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton Street, Keeseville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 pm at St. John’s Church in Keeseville with Rev. Kris C. Lauzon, parish priest, celebrating. The family wishes to offer a sincere "thank you" to CVPH, especially the ICU staff, for the wonderful care shown to Mike during his time there. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton Street, Keeseville, 834-7667.