Michael Alexander Czaruk Jr. of Cocoa, FL 12/25/1951-08/02/2024

Michael entered eternal bliss on August 2, 2024. He is now dancing in the sky with our mom, his beloved best-friend and wife, Catherine (d.2/2/23) Czaruk. He’s fishing with his son, our brother, Michael (d.12/1/19) Czaruk III, he’s hugging his mom, Julia Ann Czaruk, has already shared a Manhattan and shot a round of pool with his father Michael Czaruk Sr., and chased his fur balls Shadow, Honey, and Butler.

Mike was born in Steubenville, Ohio on December 25, 1951 and was the eldest of his three surviving siblings; Julianne (Rick) Pecorella and family, Greg (Kim) Czaruk and family, and Tim Czaruk and family. As a kid, he grew up very close to his cousins spending time together going on adventures. In high school Mike was on the swim team, he played baseball, and was in Russian Club and graduated from Butler High School in 1969. His first proud accomplishment was when he enlisted into the Marine Corps. Mike held a “Top Secret” clearance, was a “Sharp Shooter” and an MP. Mike loved all sports and even played on the Marine Corps football team. He trained in electronics and became a Radiation Engineer, later, specializing in x-ray, CT, and MRI. He moved to Chicago and met his first wife, Sandi Pantos. He said his second proudest accomplishment were his three children, Alexandra Lynn, Sara’ Nicole Lynn, and Michael A Czaruk III (d12/1/19). Sandi and Mike divorced in 1984.

Michael met Catherine in 1996 in Illinois, and was immediately smitten. His third proudest accomplishment was when they married in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19, 2005. They moved to Boca Raton, FL in 1998. During his career Mike was involved with many technological innovations by creating the first mobile mammography busses, installation of body scanners into prisons all over the country, overseas, and at Guantanamo Bay. He loved watching football and shouting out bad calls during Steelers games, enjoyed taking us kids to every White Sox home game, fixing anything that was needed, giving us cooking tips, listening to us cry, giving us words of encouragement when needed, some times a hard lesson learned, and he made the best steak tacos. Michael was definitely larger than life. He had a witty sense of humor and that will be missed.

Mike was everyone’s best friend, a superior card player, an enemy to no one. He was raised to NEVER hit a girl (we took total advantage of that as kids), never speak ill of anyone, and to always be kind first. Think before you speak, love hard, and enjoy every party. He never missed a wedding or graduation. Michael had many friends and close relationships with relatives and the stories they share are always awesome to hear! Most importantly, our Dad, NEVER missed a little league practice or game, a swim meet, a play, concerts, or an art show. He was always so proud of us, he was the dad pointing and shouting “That’s MY kid!” from the bleachers.

Mike is SURVIVED by his children; Alexandra (Jeff) Hite, Las Vegas, NV, Sara’Nicole (Jason) Prock, Hagerstown, MD, Kiley (Charlie) Nelson, FL, and Abbey Carpenter, FL, Jared (Kim) Carpenter, IL, and Ryan Angoin, (IL) His 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Mike’s big send off party will be announced at a later date by his children.