MICHAEL ANTHONY MARZEAN
Michael Anthony Marzean passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, at his home with his beloved wife at his side after a short illness.
Mike was born on Oct. 3, 1958, to the late Anthony J. and Elaine J. (Weise) Marzean in Alpena, Mich. On Aug. 23, 1980, he married Virginia Cross. Mike graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1982 with a BSME. He was currently employed as a Senior Project Manager at Westinghouse Commercial Nuclear Fuel Division in Columbia, S.C.
He started his career at IBM where he designed and developed some of their first robots to do automated assembly work. In 1994, a career change brought him to Westinghouse working as a tool designer and ultimately as a Senior Project Manager. Mike received several awards during his career including seven Patents and the prestigious “George Westinghouse Award.”
A 1979 accident left Mike a paraplegic and his wife was constantly by his side taking care of him. Together they worked on helping him maintain his independence and advocating for ADA rights.
His many hobbies include reading, any motorsports especially NASCAR, which led him to build their first home right in the heart of NASCAR country, five miles from Concord Motor Speedway. His favorite hobby was a glass of single malt Scotch, shared with his best friend, and a lively discussion over just about anything or working in his shop on one of his three 1969 Camaros.
Mike is survived by his “Bride” of 35 years, Virginia; brother, Robert (Barbara) of Fort Dodge, Iowa; his in-laws, Bill and Donna Cross of Alpena, sisters-in-law, Gayle (Barry) Gilbertson of Grand Rapids, Catherine (Jeff) Glomski of Hubbard Lake; nieces, Corrine Gilbertson, Andrea Gilbertson, Holly Glomski, Dana Glomski; aunts, Lauriene Marzean, Elaine Marzean of Alpena, Bernadine Donovan of New York, Genevieve Barbourn of Florida; treasured friends and cousins, Patsy and Larry Weise of Grand Lake.
Family and friends will gather at the Bannan Funeral Home for memorial visitation on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, from 4-8 p.m., and where the memorial service will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Sr. Mary Hughes officiating.
Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials: Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for Spinal Cord Research. 636 Morris Turnpike; Suite 3A; Short Hills, NJ 07078.
