Thomas Michalski

Tom Michalski passed away on May 1, 2016. He was born on March 15, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The year was 1943 and Tom was just seventeen when he boarded a troop train in Minneapolis bound for San Diego and the Marine Corp. For the next two years Tom trained as a Marine Corp airman eventually becoming the backseat of the Marine corp dive bombers; Douglas SBD Dauntless and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. In the spring 1945, Tom boarded a troop ship in San Diego, California bound for Zamboanga City Mindanao, Philippines. Due to the perils of shipping during wartime, the cruise took a zigzag course of one month duration. Tom flew dozens of missions in the spring and early summer of 1945 in preparation for the invasion of Japan. But, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki rendered the invasion unnecessary and Tom returned stateside to a desk job preparing discharge papers, one of which was his own. Years later when he was chided by a group of young teenagers he escorted to Cedar Point of being fearfull of riding the Blue Streak Tom quipped, in good nature “The lines to ride are long and when you’ve sat back to back with the pilot when he starts his bomb run from nine thousand feet the Blue Streak pales. Upon returning to civilian life Tom entered the University of Minnesota and with the aid of the GI Bill, a Bachelors of Accounting was conferred on him. In 1953 Tom was able to enter the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent. During his years with the “Bureau”, Tom was also able to earn a law degree from the College of Law, University of Toledo. He practiced bankruptcy law many years in the firm Kemper, Eickholt & Michalski. Tom was a “joiner”. He joined many civic, private and social groups. His favorite was Toastmasters, eventually becoming governor of District 28, Toastmasters International. In retirement Tom enjoyed travel. Tom and Donna, his wife of sixty-seven years, traveled throughout America and abroad. They had retirement homes in South Texas and Northern Minnesota. Tom took special satisfaction in establishing in the year 1957 a one hundred sixty acre timber plantation on Highway 61 in northern Minnesota. A plantation that produces timber to this day. Tom was preceded in death by his wife Donna and he is survived by his son Daniel(Brenda) Michalski & grandson Grant Michalski. The Michalski family would like to thank Julie, Mary, Sierra, Amanda, Cherie, Nancy, Joanne, Teresa, Amber, Stacy & Angie of Per Diem Nurse Staffing & Home Care for their loving care that enable Tom stay in his home. Family and friends will be received at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio on Friday May 6, 2016 from 5-8 pm. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 11 am at Wakeman Cemetery, Waterville, Ohio. In lieu gifts or flowers, the Michalski family asks that you consider donating to your charity of choice. Online condolences may be given at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com