Harold J. Michal 1922-2020

Harold was born Sept. 7, 1922 in Chicago, Ill., a son of the late James and Mae Spicka Michal. Raised in Chicago, he was a graduate of St. Leo’s High School and received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Harold met his beautiful bride and wife of 68 years, Dorothy Ginski, in Chicago; together they raised three children, Donna, Jim and Nancy. Harold shared his love of the outdoors with his family through vacations and trips to Wisconsin and Canada. He had many hobbies and interests, including photography, carpentry, golf, reading, playing cards and fishing. He could fix just about anything. Harold enjoyed many family parties and celebrations with his nieces, nephews and friends.

Throughout his entire career, he worked as a chemical engineer for various companies, including the former City Asphalts, which relocated him to Youngstown in 1976.

In Youngstown, Harold became involved in golfing leagues and the 4×4 Club and continued his love of fishing in Ohio lakes. Heidi, a sweet Dalmatian, was added to the family, renewing the love he had for dogs from his childhood. It was during this time that he and Dorothy started their big adventure in Loreto, Baja, Mexico.

They built a second home in Loreto, and after retirement, they spent over 30 years wintering by the Sea of Cortez. They enjoyed the beautiful weather, hummingbirds and fish, and welcomed many family members and friends to visit and enjoy Mexico with them.

Harold also enjoyed traveling; he and Dorothy visited Africa, South America, Alaska and the Galapagos Islands.

He will be remembered by many for his quick wit and his love for laughter.

He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy A. Ginski, whom he married Sept. 29, 1951; two daughters, Donna (Ray Lazanik) Michal of Victoria, British Columbia and Nancy (Steve) Cole of Durham, N.C.; son, James E. Michal of Austintown; granddaughter, Naomi Lazanik of Victoria, British Columbia; sister-in-law, Eleanor (Russ) Rapken of Chicago; and nine nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2020 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman. Friends and family are invited to call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. There will be a reception after the Mass in the church’s St. Matthew Room.

Interment was Jan. 28, 2020 in Resurrection Cemetery. Maps will be available for those wishing to visit the Columbarium after the Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Special Care Unit, Assumption Village and to Hospice of the Valley, for their loving care of Harold.

The family requests that any memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Harold J. Michal’s name to the ‘Keep Loreto Magical’ project of the Ocean Foundation, https://oceanfdn.org/projects/keep-loreto-magi cal.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home. Please visit www.becker obits.com to send condolences.

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