Michael Stelmak

Michael Stelmak, 86, of West Hartford, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at the St. Mary Home in West Hartford. He was born December 3, 1920 in Hartford, and was the son of the late Gregory and Mary Pawlukowich Stelmak. As a teenager he worked for the Arsenal Pharmacy in Hartford and graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1938. He joined Veeder-Root in 1940 and worked as a machinist, toolmaker, expediter and estimator during his employment there until 1965. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 during World War II and served in the Pacific Theatre if operations which included Bougainville and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and was also stationed in Noumea, New Caledonia with the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps. He completed his career with the Marines in 1947 with the rank of Tech Sergeant. He always considered the Marine Corps his family and treasured his service to the United States of America. In 1965 he began his career with the United States Postal Service, from which he retired as a window clerk at the Weston Street branch in 1983. During his lifetime he was an avid duckpin bowler, enjoyed many hobbies including photography, and was a devoted father. He was also a staunch Red Sox fan who was both relieved and elated when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 after 86 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 96 of West Hartford, and was also a 50 year Mason and member of Tuscan Lodge No. 126, A.F. & A.M. of Manchester. He leaves his son, Gregory R. Stelmak of Newington, his daughter Michele A. Joubert of Enfield, a granddaughter, Kristie-Lynn Joubert of Enfield, his great-grandchildren Julia Michele Tobey and Logan Thomas Joubert both of Enfield, and his sisters Anna S. Lototski of West Hartford, and Helen Wrobel and Olga Budrow both of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He also leaves several nieces and was predeceased by his son in law, Thomas Joubert. The family expresses special thanks for the kindness and care given to him by the staff of St. Mary Home, The University of Connecticut Health Center, and the visiting nurses from Interim Healthcare PHD. A graveside service with military honors for the interment of his ashes will be held on Tuesday, July 10, at 10:30 am at the Fairview Cemetery 200 Whitman Ave. in West Hartford. Friends and acquaintances are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations on his memory may be made to either the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 3008, Princeton, N.J. 08543, or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr. Wallingford, CT 06492. The Molloy Funeral Home of West Hartford has care of arrangements.

Michael Stelmak

December 3, 1920 - June 26, 2007