Michael Laptiuk

March 31, 1928 - August 9, 2020

MICHAEL LAPTIUK, 92, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2020 after contracting COVID19. Michael was the beloved husband of Gloria (nee Tyburski) for 65 years. Cherished father of Mary Helen Pierce, Michelle Adorno (Juan), Lori Jo Neiswander (Kirk), and Nancy Edmonds; loving grandfather of Justin, Alicia, Shane, Jillian, Carissa, Ben, Grant, Brooke, Grace, and Lexi. Great-grandfather of 4. Michael passed away, peacefully. While we wish he was surrounded by family, COVID made that impossible. During his 3-month stay at a nursing home, he seemed to understand and accept the imposed quarantine, better than we did. Michael lived a remarkable 92 years. He was a Polish refugee; taken from his family by the Nazis at age 13 and put to work on farms in Germany and Austria. After the war, Catholic Charities was not able to locate his family and offered to help him start a new life in either Australia or the USA. He picked Australia, but crossed communications put him on a boat headed for Ellis Island. He proposed to Gloria within a year of meeting her and they celebrated 65 years of marriage this past April. He worked as a night-shift Machinist at Production Experts and could make ANYTHING. He made up recipes, knit Gloria a beautiful sweater, made his children’s crib and dresser, built a garage, had an overflowing garden, and made many of the drapes that are hanging in his, and Lori’s homes. Growing up the girls always had a dog or cat that Michael would often times find at his shop and in need of a home. He was quiet and reflective, generous and graceful. He and Gloria were wonderful ballroom dancers. He loved domestic travel and loved visiting casinos as a hobby gambler and buffet explorer. He was very proud to have 4 daughters -when Lori was born with a clump of strawberry blonde hair on her head, he was delighted saying his father and sister had that color hair. When his 4th daughter, Nancy, was born the doctor said he hated telling Michael it was another girl. He responded by saying “Yes! I was hoping for another girl!” He demonstrated a strong work ethic that all of his daughters adopted. As his family grew, he made it clear that they were always welcome back home. Dad, we know you will be waiting to welcome us all home again someday. In the meantime, you can now rest in peace. We love you eternally. Because of the pandemic, his service will be private. Arrangements by Vodrazka Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael Catholic Church and Interment at Maple Shade Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations directed to either St. Michael Catholic Church 6912 Chestnut Rd., Independence, OH 44131 or to Case Western Reserve University,, Advancement Services in support of their School of Medicine COVID-19 Task Force research efforts, at 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106-7035.