Michael F. Lonczak

Chicopee - Michael Francis Lonczak, a lifelong resident of Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 4th, 2017 at 100 years of age.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Marjorie Flowers Lonczak, as well as his devoted daughter and family: Sharon and her husband Ken of Hopewell Junction, NY, their son James of Gallatin, NY, their daughter Brooke, as well as Mike’s great-granddaughter Vivian of Avon, CT.

Born on August 7th, 1916 in Chicopee, MA, Michael was one of twelve children of the late Ludwik and Maria (Midura) Lonczak. He is survived by his sisters Julia “June” Martin of Chicopee, Genevieve “Jean” Callahan of North Reading, and Helen Kelly of Agawam. He was predeceased by brothers Frederick, Adam, Walter, Edward and Stanley, and sisters Angela Bragiel, Michaeline (May) Gosselin, and Joanna Lonczak.

Michael attended St. Stanislaus School and Chicopee High School prior to induction into the Army Air Force on March 13th, 1941. He trained at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. He served in the Medical Corps with Company F, 104th Infantry and then underwent flight training with the 62nd Army Air Force in Jackson, Mississippi. He later served at the 1450th Army Air Force Base with Division Headquarters Air Traffic Control in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. While serving in the Army Air Force he received a WWII Victory Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and an American Theatre Ribbon.

During his service in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he met and married Marjorie Flowers on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1945. She accompanied him back to Chicopee, Massachusetts where he and his brother Walter opened Lonczak Spa, a small café where he worked for many years. Their daughter Sharon was born on July 24th, 1946 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA. Michael was an avid sportsman and sports fan. He played golf often and was proud to shoot an “80” at 80 years of age. He loved basketball and hiking, and enjoyed ice skating with his wife well into his 80s. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 452 in Chicopee, MA. He enjoyed seashore vacations in Rhode Island and Cape Cod. He also loved classical music, especially Johann Strauss, which he would play every night at dinnertime. He was a dog lover and enjoyed puns and puzzles. His greatest love was for his family. He loved teaching his grandchildren how to ride bikes and play sports, always ready to start off activities and games, entertaining them with great enthusiasm.

Our family would like to thank the Wingate staff of Hamden, MA for their dedicated and kind, compassionate care during Michael’s 100th year.

In Michael’s honor on Monday, February 13th, 2017 there will be a visitation hour from 1-2PM followed by a short service at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA. This will be followed by burial with military honors at 3PM at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA. The family requests that offerings be made in Michael’s memory to the ASPCA. Please visit www.nefcc.net