Gladstone, MI
Michael J. LaJoice, age 68, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, April 22, 2017, at his home in Gladstone, following a short battle with cancer.
Mike was born July 29, 1948, in Cheboygan, MI, the son of Francis and Ethel (Nay) LaJoice. He was raised in St. Ignace and was a 1967 graduate of LaSalle High School. Following high school, Mike enrolled at Ferris State University where he began his artistic studies in Ferris’ Art Department. In 1969, Mike was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War and received the distinguished Purple Heart Medal of Valor. He was honorably discharged in 1971. On April 8, 1972, Mike was united in marriage to the former Nora J. Mannarelli, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Lincoln Park, MI, and together the couple made their home and raised their family in Lincoln Park. His loving wife Nora preceded him in death on January 14, 2000. Mike was employed as a plumber at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit, for 31 years. In 2003, he relocated to Gladstone and was employed as a security guard at the Island Resort and Casino, where he made many dear friends, until his retirement. Mike was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock. In addition, he was a former member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the VFW. His hobbies included oil painting, tending his vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include:
Son: Joseph (Julie) LaJoice
Daughter: Lori (Misin) Riza
Sisters: Nancy (Thomas) Flynn, Annette Powers, Cindy (Robert) Thomas and
Terese Myers
Granddaughters: Misina and Ally
Also surviving are nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mike’s parents; Francis and Ethel, wife; Nora, and brothers; Gregory and David preceded him in death.
Mike’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, from 3:00PM to 6:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites will follow visiting hours, at 6:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone, with the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post #71 presiding. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Wednesday, at 11:00AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock, with Rev. Fr. John Longbucco officiating. Luncheon will follow in the Holy Family Parish Hall. Mike will be laid to rest next to his wife Nora in the St. Ignatius Cemetery in St. Ignace. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements.
FRANK and SHERRY POREC - weirton, wv
Dear Lori, Joey, Misina, Ally, and family, I met your dad and grandfather when we first came back from Vietnam in 1970. We both were assigned to A Company,1st of the 10th,First Infantry Division. The ” Big Red ONE”. We met and instantly became friends. We always wrote at Christmas time. He was “KID and I was POPS.” He dropped off my radar ,must of been when he got sick. then one day connected again . I remember crying because I thought he had passed then .We talked a few times and told me of his new war with cancer. Then my wife sherry after checking out your dads FB page saw that he had passed . The sad look in her eyes told me my bad day was about to get worse. When I saw the photo and read the poem tears ran down my cheeks . I loved your dad and grandfather. He is sitting in HEAVEN,NO PAIN, AND SUFFERING CRADLED IN THE ARMS OF GOD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, someday we will all be together again. god bless you the strength to get through this . WITH OUR LOVE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY.
Harry Dhillon - Sterling Heights, MI
Losing your father can be extremely difficult & hard because you are losing a source of strength, stability and consistency in your life. I am sorry for your loss.
Wessnermary@gmail.com - Ann Arbor, MI
Joey, Lori, Nancy, Annette, Cindy and Theresa ,
Oa am so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in the love and support of family and friends. Cherish the wonderful memories. Mike was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. I will remember him for how much he loved his family, Nora you kids, and his sisters. Love to all of you. Take care of each other.
Mary and Bob Wessner
Marcia Heim - Brownstown, MI
Lori, Joey and families,
Sad news. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all. Asking God to show Himself mighty and carry you through these tough times.
Marcia, Gary, Steve and Jeff Heim and families
Leclaire - Ferndale, MI
Our deepest sympathy to the family for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Norman and Beverly Leclaire
Pat & Cheryl Miller - Gladstone, MI
We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss seeing him working on his garden and yard. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.