Michael Francis Stazeski

Michael Francis Stazeski, 66, died peacefully on Saturday, July 23, 2022, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his siblings Theodore, Carolyn Morris (Rick), Claire Luken (Gerry), and Anne Colavita (Rich), and numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him.

Born and raised in Summit, NJ, he was the son of the late Theodore and Sophia (Palczewska) Stazeski. He graduated from Oratory Prep and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison before joining the Navy in 1975. He was a petty officer third class on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Midway in the South Pacific, maneuvering the jets into position for catapult. It was a high point in his lifelong love of aviation. He was also a member of the combat search and rescue team.

After serving in the Navy, Michael worked at Newark Airport and for the United States Postal Service. Upon retirement, he was a crossing guard in Highland Park. He didn’t take the responsibility lightly and was known throughout the community for his consistency and professionalism.

This role also gave Michael the opportunity to do what he did best: make friends. He would talk to anybody and everybody, and he was always ready with a smile and a joke, the cornier the better. Dogs loved him—perhaps because he always had a treat in his pocket—and he could frequently be seen around town walking his neighbors’ pets. Even though he lived his life with both feet firmly on the ground, he never stopped watching airplanes, and his binoculars were never far from his side.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 S. Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park, NJ. Parking is available behind the funeral home and on S. Adelaide Avenue. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s name may be made to Healing the Children, NJ (https://htcnj.org/) or K9s for Warriors (https://k9sforwarriors.org/).

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