Michael Bokesch

POLAND - Prayers will begin Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, for M. Michael Bokesch, 65, who died Thursday afternoon at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike was born Aug. 17, 1946, the son of Michael Bokesch and Rose Raidel.
He was a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School and had worked at GM Lordstown for over 30 years, working in various departments, retiring in 1998. After his retirement from GM, he worked at Lear Seating as a quality supervisor and later at Magna Seating as a supplier quality engineer. He had also earned his realtors license and worked as a realtor in the San Francisco Bay area for two years.
Mike was a member of the Holy Family Parrish, becoming a Catholic through its RCIA program. He had been a member and financial officer of the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club. Mike also enjoyed boating on Lake Erie and had been a member of the Youngstown Power Squadron.
Mike will always be remembered as a wonderful man and husband. He enjoyed life and had a huge laugh that would bring a smile to everyone's face. He was the life of the party. He quickly made friends wherever he went.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He had become a wine maker after moving back to this area from California. He loved spending time on his back deck with his family and friends and his dogs, Maggie and Gina, who were his constant companions. Mike especially enjoyed the annual pig roast with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, the former Monica Kos, whom he married Oct. 17, 1987; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Jane and Tony Kos of McDonald, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tony and Missy Kos; niece Kayla Kos; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sonia and Dan Aaron; nephews Matt and Bryan; niece Kellie, "brother" Joe Colletti and his wife, Jackie, who was affectionately known as Mike's "second wife" and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by a daughter, Lisa and a son, Michael.
The family would like to thank all of their friends and neighbors for their unending support during his illness. The love and kindness that they showed him was unending and got him through many difficult times. Mike's family also extends their thanks to the doctors, nurses and other staff at St. Elizabeth who cared for him with kindness and dignity, especially the nursing staff in NSICU and MICU and 52 South.
The family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to either Hospice of the Valley or the American Cancer Society in Mike's memory.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel.