Michael “Mike” Stawasz, 80, passed on to eternal life surrounded by his loving family on June 17, 2025. Born in Holyoke on November 3, 1944, Mike was the oldest of 6 sons born to the late Max and Sally (Grzesik). His family moved to West Springfield, then eventually to Agawam where he graduated from Agawam High in 1962. He then attended the Ward School of Electronics (now University of Hartford), where he earned certification for electronic maintenance, which paved the way for a job at New England Telephone Company. In the Vietnam era, Mike served 2 years active duty in the Navy, and 4 years in the Navy Reserve. While serving, Mike was a radioman on the USS Willis A. Lee, DL-4. On October 9, of 1971 Mike married the love of his life, Maxine Skypeck, of Holyoke. They built a house in West Springfield, where they lived together for more than 50 years, raising 3 children. Mike worked for the phone company (now Verizon) for 40 years as a central office technician and was a member of the IBEW. Based in Holyoke and Springfield over the years, he often went out to various locations in Massachusetts to fix urgent issues affecting service. Throughout his career, Mike pursued various degrees and certifications and earned a BS in Accounting from American International College, graduating with honors. He was able to retire at the age of 59 and focus on his family, parish, and hobbies for the next 21 years. Mike was an avid golfer his whole life. He was an early member of the Telephone Golf League and golfed in that league for many years with partner Skip Pula, then with his son, Paul. He also especially enjoyed golfing with his father, his brother Ken, and his daughter Marissa. In his younger years, he was an avid skier, skiing locally and in VT, as well as Europe. Mike also enjoyed fishing and taking his bird dogs out to hunt pheasant. Throughout his adult life Mike was an avid gardener. His large garden encompassed a variety of vegetables, fruit trees and blueberry bushes. The many years of bounty from his garden led Mike to greatly enjoy cooking. His homemade pizzas with the works were legendary amongst his family members. He was a loving Dziadziu to his grandson, Evan, and especially enjoyed his yearly vacations with him and the entire family at various lakes and beaches around the East Coast and the Caribbean. Mike was also a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Mike was involved in many volunteer activities over the years. When his children were swimming for the West Springfield Torpedoes in the 1980s and 90s, Mike served on the Board of the West Springfield Swim Association for 8 years, with 2 additional years as President. He received the West Springfield Commissioners’ award in 1993 for his outstanding service to the youth of West Side. Mike was a dedicated blood and platelet donor for the American Red Cross for decades, some years donating as frequently as every 3 weeks. A communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke, Mike was in charge of the kitchen at the OLC parish Fall Festival for many years and dedicated many hours helping to prepare meals for the parishes’ Take and Eat program. Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Maxine (Skypeck) of West Springfield, MA; daughter Michele and her husband Jon Lorenz of New Milford, CT; daughter Marissa of Brooklyn, NY; son Paul of Chicopee, MA; and grandson Evan Lorenz. He also leaves 4 brothers, Robert and his wife Shirley of Christchurch, New Zealand; Roger and his partner Volker Ecke of Northampton, MA; Chris and his husband Randy Kinsler of Morehead, Kentucky; and Philip of Agawam, MA. He is predeceased by his brother Kenneth of Agawam, MA. The funeral will be held on Wednesday June 25 at 9:00am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church. Burial is in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, South Hadley. Visitation is on Tuesday June 24 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the funeral home.