Mike Suzich Jr.

MIKE SUZICH JR. Funeral services for Lewis resident Mike Suzich Jr. will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 11 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Lewis Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Visitation has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m. at Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Mike was born July 17, 1922 at Allenport, Penn. the son of Mike and Molly (Bjelosh) Suzich. Mike was christened into the Serbian Eastern Orthodox faith. He passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 88. Mike met Cecelia Murray in Tucson, Ariz.; they were later married and spent many loving years together. Mike was drafted during World War II and opted to join the United States Army Air Force where he trained as an airplane and engine mechanic. Mike flew the Himalayas and the China Burma India Theatre in World War II. Honorably discharged from the United States Army Air Force, he went on to join the United States Air Force Reserve as an Airman First Class. Mike graduated from the Cal-Aero Technical Institute in Glendale, Calif. certified as an aircraft and engine mechanic. He then went to work for the United State Air National Guard in Tucson, Ariz. where he rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in charge of the maintenance of all F-100 Fighter Jets. During this service he designed an after burner that was approved by the Pentagon which saved the United States Air Force millions of dollars in maintenance and for which he received special honors. Mike also joined the Civil Air Patrol and participated in search and rescue missions. Upon retirement, he and his wife settled in Lewis, Colo. While living in Lewis, Mike and several other local residents worked to organize the Lewis Arriola Fire Department. Mike was preceded in death by his wife Cecelia Suzich; by his sisters, Sara Semich of Allenport, Penn., and Kathryn Werlwas of Roscoe, Penn. He is survived by his brothers, Harry Suzich (Nancy) of Moontownship, Penn., William Suzich (Shirley) of McAllen, Tex., Nick Suzich of San Diego, Calif., and Samuel Suzich of Lonaconing, MD; and by his sisters, Ann Lewis of Elco, Penn., Dorothy Gillen of Roscoe, Penn., and Martha Medich of Westmoreland City, Penn.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, special recognition to his most recent care-taker, Robyn Foster and her husband, John who cared for Mike with loving compassion; his neighbors Jim and Kay Garlinghouse who always responded to Mike’s needs with compassion and friendship; and John Trocheck who made himself available any time Mike needed him. Memorial contributions may be made in Mike Suzich’s name to the Lewis Arriola Fire Department, P.O. Box 10 Lewis, CO 81327.