Obituary of Michael F Bozek

Michael Frank Bozek, 76, of South Hadley, passed away from heart failure on February 26, 2021, with his family by his side.

Mike was born June 15, 1944 to Michael and Helen Bozek, and he and his sister Dorothy grew up in Chicopee. He attended St. Stanislaus School, graduated from Chicopee High School, and then received a Bachelor of Arts in History from American International College. Mike worked at UniRoyal Tire Company and was a medic in the Army before beginning a career as a fifth grade teacher at P.E. Bowe School in Chicopee. He met Nancy while teaching at Bowe, they married in 1975 and had two children, Cathy and Ken. Mike was a devoted and loving son, brother, husband, and dad.

Mike enjoyed skiing, tennis, playing the saxophone, and travel. He was a skilled photographer, and loved exploring mountains and coasts, flower gardens and farmlands, to find his favorite pictures. He was devoted to his faith, and was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in South Hadley. Though he suffered a severe stroke in 1999, he still enjoyed the finer things in life: trips to the ocean, live music, playing with his granddaughter Ella, and a good raspberry pie. His family and friends will remember him for his soft-spoken kindness, his curiosity about the world, and his sense of humor.

Mike leaves his wife Nancy (Bowdle) of South Hadley, his daughter Cathy Bozek, son-in-law Bill Glover, and granddaughter Ella of Hadley, his son Ken of Amherst, and his sister Dorothy Low of Chicopee.

A private service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Since Mike worked for Meals on Wheels for years and loved having good food with family and friends, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to support the WestMass ElderCare Meals on Wheels Program (www.wmeldercare.org/donate-now/, select Meals on Wheels Program- general donation). Beers & Story has been entrusted with the arrangements.