Mike Stastny Jim & Shirley Mahoney Alan Platfoot Mike Farinacci Vern Lewis
Mike Stastny Jim & Shirley Mahoney Alan Platfoot Mike Farinacci Vern Lewis
ORANGE WOMAN'S CLUB 121 S CENTER ST
I’m honored to stand before you to conduct this service.
LET US PRAY Oh Lord- We gather to comfort each other in our grief and to honor the life Mike lead. A life that was full of hope, happiness, laughter, and love... This is the way we will always remember Mike...that he lived his life as an example to each and every person he met, there was a true genuine love that surrounded Mike.
As I began to prepare for today’s service, I searched my heart for who I seen Mike Stastny as: Who was Mike Stastny?
As we just heard in his eulogy read by son Sean.
Mike was born in Lombard, Illinois – a suburb of Chicago. A 2000 census shows a population of 42,322. Then moving to the Santa Ana – Tustin area he attends elementary school and on to Foothill High School and works after school for Alpha Beta as a box boy. Along comes the summer of 1970 just before his Junior year and Mike moves to Aberdeen, Hong Kong, British Crown Colony.
I think this is important in understanding our friend Mike- Hong Kong?
I see in1842 the British established the Crown Colony of Hong Kong to administer this new colony, and the inlet was renamed Aberdeen Harbor. After 40 years of back and forth in 1898 Great Britain officially secured a 99 yr. lease on the territory. Then came the 2nd world war but Great Britain regained control of the region after the Japanese officially surrendered on September 16,1945. Although US President Franklin Roosevelt had previously made promises that Hong Kong would be returned to the Republic of China, Britain would ultimately restore Hong Kong as a Crown Colony. When the 99-year lease came to an end in 1997, with Q-ing (Kwing) Dynasty long overthrown, the United Kingdom chose to return Hong Kong, in its entirely rather than just the New Territories, to communist China. Today, Hong Kong is ruled by communist China as a special administrative region.
I drill down on this history because our friend Mike would have-
I’m sure there is a book in Mike’s library about this region and the history and the effects the wars had on Hong Kong. Would we not love to ask Mike his opinion on the current situation in Hong Kong…. Those of us that knew Mike- Knew he had a political position. Me being the Barber of the same belief- we had long discussions about world events that I will forever miss…
Mike’s life experiences shaped him into the fascinating man we all knew and loved…
As Sean said- During Mikes two years in Hong Kong High School - Mike worked as a machinist, injection molding operator, model maker and part time designer.
Then in 1972 Mike returns to California attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo - majoring in Industrial Arts, and in 1976 graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts.
And most of you here today know the rest- you have all had the pleasure of working with Mike.
The theme I feel best describes my friend Mike Stastny is friendship.
I’m sure if you did a Google Search for “good friend” “good Dad” or “Good Husband” on Google - Mike’s name would appear. Or better yet- I do know – in Mike’s honor if you go to www.mikestastny.com you will find today’s message and picture updates to follow.
You are the example of what we all strive for in life.
326 South Tustin Street, Orange, California 92866, United States
Your barber/ your friend, Tim kistlers@kistlers.net
RIP my friend the best co worker, friend I ever had , we did enjoy our work together at RainBird and HongKong.
Mike was not just my colleague at CDM, he was also my friend. We shared a passion for baseball, our pets, wild birds and "making stuff". I loved hearing his stories about the Highland Games and, more than anything, his stories and adventures with his kids, granddaughter, and the love of his life, Lorrie. And he enjoyed hearing about my sons' high school football and baseball teams, swapping info about birds we saw at our feeders, and sparring over how much it should "really" cost for that product we were making together.
While Mike was sick, I would send him random, silly texts, knowing that he would likely not reply but that he'd catch the humor and know I was thinking about him. He actually did reply to this video I have attached. A wild turkey wandered up to the spot in our yard where our bird feeder spills over. He couldn't believe it. Wild turkey?!
I miss Mike, his incredible knowledge of our work, his sense of humor, his ability to call it like he saw it, his kind heart and his enduring love of family. But, I know he has touched us all and leaves us all better for his presence in our lives.
Mike was a real family man who loved his wife Lorrie so much, he was a great teacher, so talented in his craft at CDM, wise and super witty. I had the pleasure of working with Mike at The CDM Company for over 16 years. He always made time for me and provided great advice (and laughter). Blessings and love to you and your family.
He was instrumental in making me a better person, in that, he pushed me to challenge myself to stretch, to learn and grow. He made me realize I was smarter than I gave myself credit. However, the best thing about Mike, was he was able to share his love of family and friends with me; he was so proud of his family, from his wife, Lorrie, sons Matthew and Sean, his grandbaby, Lidia, his mother-in-law, his sisters-in-law, other family members, etc. He really cared much for those he loved. He left too early, but he will be remember and cherished by all those who knew and loved him. Be well Mike.
I remember when we were having a BBQ in the backyard, and the grill caught on fire. We're lucky the house didn't burn down, but Mike was quick to get the situation under control. I remember this because I wouldn't have been there if Mike and the whole Stastny family weren't so welcoming. They invited me to Thanksgivings and Christmases and let me share good times with them all, and helped me feel less alone when I couldn't see my own family for the holidays. I'll miss Mike, but it was a pleasure to have known him.
As a designer at CDM, part of my passion while sketching an idea was coming up with a solution for manufacturing. I'd actually enjoy getting stumped since that would mean I'd then have the excuse to walk into Mike's office and discuss a solution. He'd even explain the manufacturing process online and so I'd always walk out of his office feeling very inspired. We also found ourselves having detailed discussions about coffee since we both shared a passion for it so I eventually brought in a coffee maker, grinder and beans so we could debate the tastes. I will very much miss him as well as our uplifting conversations.
Mike- it's been hard to say good-bye...our 17 years of many long talks and always finishing our time together with a sense that we solved most of the worlds problems. You are definitely one of the "good guys." You are deeply missed but know the barber shop will continue to debate those local and world issues knowing you are looking down and joining in...
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