Michael A. Bologna, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Jan. 31. He was 87 years old.
Mike was born in Greenwich to Pietro and Maria Bologna on July 18, 1930.
One of six children, he quickly demonstrated his natural talent for all things mechanical. While other children were playing baseball, Mike and his brothers were building a gas-powered car using old engine parts, baby carriage wheels and anything else they could find.
His father built him a laboratory in the garage where he built cars, planes, boats, skis from old wine barrels; everyone in the neighborhood wanted to know what Mike was building next.
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— an obituary from Silas F. Richardson and Son Funeral Home
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As a member of the Sea Scouts, he spent summers in Long Island Sound learning about sailing and the sea– a passion for which he carried with him his entire life.
Mike graduated from Greenwich High School and continued his education at J.M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford. He worked for 40 years at Hoffman Fuel, Chevron and Westmore Fuel initially as a lead mechanic and later in management before retiring in 1995.
He proudly served as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War.
In 1954, he married his wife Joan and moved to Darien to raise his three daughters Marcia, Melissa and Loree. Mike passed along his love of the ocean to his family and spent every summer boating and sailing on the same Long Island Sound waters he enjoyed as a child.
Throughout his life, one of Mike’s greatest joys was working in his shop. As the son of a master carpenter, he not only held his work to the highest standards but also put equal attention on his tools and the workshop itself. He loved sharing his knowledge, was an excellent instructor with endless patience and was always available to help family, friends and neighbors.
Mike is survived by his three daughters: Marcia Bologna, Melissa Gavin and Loree Bologna-Barrett; four grandchildren: Mike Somerfield, James Gavin, Daniel Gavin and Isaac Jackson; three sisters: Emma Pistininzi, Rose Mazon and Edith Montpelier; brother Joseph Bologna and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Joan, and brother, Frank Bologna.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers at Sunrise Assisted Living in Leominster, Mass., who welcomed our father into their hearts.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10 at Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, Mass., with visitation at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, with his wife, Joan at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.