Michal Tomczak, age 89, passed away August 19, 2015 at Golden Living Nursing Home in La Porte.
Michal was born in the Ukraine, the eldest of 6 children. He grew up on a large farm where he helped his parents grow food and transport it to a nearby town to sell. WWII shattered this peaceful time and at 16 he became a forced laborer in Germany where he was mistreated and often didn't get enough to eat. After the war ended, he was sent to live in a displaced persons camp in what became East Germany. There he met his wife, and his son was born. In 1950, he and his family were able to immigrate to the United States and eventually settled in La Porte where he lived the rest of his life.
Michal was a hardworking man who enjoyed caring for his home and cars and was an avid gardener. He also loved traveling around America, often visiting his children, and going to the beach.
Mike, as everyone called him, was a very determined man. What he set out to do he would did, whether it was to take his family to an international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York City or shop around for the best car deal. It is still impressive that he and his young family traveled by ship across the ocean with only a small suitcase, not knowing a word of English, and made a successful life in America.
Mike was preceded in death by his son, Wally, and wife Mary. He is survived by his two daughters, Tina Murray of Tennessee and Rosemary Daniels of New York. Mike also has a brother in the Ukraine.
A memorial will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for him on Saturday, August 29 at 3:00pm at 1205 East Jefferson St., La Porte, Indiana 46350.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com