Michael "Mike" T. Glapinski

Our father, Mike Glapinski, was born on May 28, 1932 to Sigmund and Angie (Kaminski) Glapinski. Raised on the south side of Milwaukee during the depression, he and his family were no strangers to the hardships faced by the majority of Americans during that time.

His father ran a grocery store until circumstances led to losing the business, impacting the future career path of dad and his younger brother Charlie.

Sigmund realized that throughout this devastated economy, the least impacted of the working class were the tradesmen. This led to both dad and his brother being enrolled in Boys’ Tech in the plumbing class.

But before dad began his career as a plumber, he and his brother had many jobs as a small boys to help the family. Some of the jobs included delivering newspapers and blocks of ice to cool iceboxes throughout their neighborhood, and a gas station attendant.

One of the awards dad earned at Boys’ Tech was the Sivyer award, which was a $200.00 cash award. Dad gave that money to his father and it went towards buying the family’s first car. We could feel the pride he had in being able to help his family in that way. Dad was also the valedictorian of the graduating class. (However, that didn’t prevent us from teasing him about his inability to spell, a trait that seems to be genetic!)

He would often tell us that he met the love of his life while delivering newspapers. Down on 8th street, lived the Zielinski family and they were on his paper route. The youngest of the “8th street beauties” was Bernadine – and their love affair lasted until mom passed away on New Year’s Eve in 2022.

Two important events occurred when dad was 18 – his little sister Susan was born and he entered the Air Force, duties assigned to him of course, were as a plumber. After basic training he was sent to Alaska, above the Arctic Circle, for one year. One of the highlights he couldn’t help sharing involved the sanitation set up. Let’s just say that as the refuse ran downhill in the gang style outhouse, the GI located at the top would often light up toilet paper to create hot seats for his unlucky companions as it made its way downhill.

While dad was in Alaska, he and mom became engaged. Dad always like to comment that he sent mom the money to pick out her own engagement ring!

They married on October 18, 1952, and the next day they were on a train headed for Washington, D.C. to finish out dad’s term of service. Dad would tell us how fortunate they both were as such young newlyweds, in the apartment building they lived in the older couples were surrogate parents to them, helping with homesickness and sound advice.

Upon completion of duties, mom and dad returned to Milwaukee in their ‘53 Chevy with son Michael.

Their first single family home was in South Milwaukee and Michael was soon joined by brothers Jim and John.

Dad found employment as a commercial plumber and often worked in downtown Milwaukee. He had great buddies at his place of employment (George, Don and Norman) and they worked together on many projects including high rise buildings, the Public Museum and Capital Court shopping center. If you were a visitor to Old Milwaukee at the museum, thank our dad for the experience of using the old fashioned water pump – because he installed it!

By 1964 he had earned enough money to build a brand new house, doing the plumbing and heating himself. Dad really had no hobbies other than working hard his entire life and encouraged this same work ethic in his sons. Part of the work he enjoyed doing outside of plumbing was remodeling. Eventually, he and we boys added a 2nd floor addition onto the ranch home which provided mom and dad with a large bedroom suite.

We also added a basement “boat storage” in 1982. It really was for his cars, but to get the permit from the city we had to be a bit creative with the project’s name. Dad would later say it was just a misunderstanding as the storage was for “boat” (both) his cars.

Life took a big turn for dad in 1968, when he went to work for Schroeder Plumbing with his brother Charlie. By 1971 he and Charlie became business partners, buying Schroeder Plumbing.

Dad taught himself to do plumbing design and plan review. And by 1988, with a very limited experience in overall business operations, he started JMJ Plumbing with sons Mike, Jim and John.

During his long and productive life, dad took part in all duties in the plumbing business: Mentor, Truck Driver, Plan Design, Business Manager, Estimator, Shop Boy, and his favorite, ditch digging. And while he could only carry a tune in a bucket, it didn’t stop him from leading the crew in singing modified renditions of Camp Town Races!

And though dad didn’t have many interests outside of plumbing, he did enjoy all types of auto racing. Both he and mom had a deep affection for the state of Hawaii, vacationing on various islands on their 26 trips to the state.

Dad also enjoyed buying cars – although he never took the time to really drive them, typically opting to drive the pick-up truck instead. He was often teased about that – but it seems the joy was in having them. We often think how amazing it was to have a father that began his life in such poverty and then growing up, his hard work created a comfortable and secure life for his family. Providing for his family was always important to dad, and it drove his efforts for success.

The last 28 years of his life was in the city of Muskego. Their home was on Lake Brittany, a lovely man-made lake. But when dad would recollect the times he had as a young man at his Uncle Teddy’s cottage on Lake Wisconsin, he wanted that lake experience as well.

He and mom purchased a condo located on the shoreline of Lake Wisconsin and they enjoyed the exquisite views for the last 20 years of their life.

Dad never truly retired. Only the closing of JMJ when we sons retired kept him from going to the office.

We can say with all honesty and a lot of pride, that our dad was the smartest, most genuine and hardest working man we know. In fact, when son Jim finished the restoration of his ‘55 Chevy Truck, it was dedicated to both dad and mom for the love and support we knew for the entirety of our lives.

Health wise, the last years of dad’s life were challenging. For the past 27 months he resided in an assisted living residence. Fortunately, visitation was open 7 days a week to all who wanted to spend time with him and mom. Dad’s challenges became significant the last months of his life. Sons Jim and Mike went daily to care for his needs. When they went home for the day, outside staff was hired to cover those hours to ensure dad was never left unattended.

Now we are saying once more - we love you dad. No one can ever take your place in our hearts, and we will miss you until we see you and mom again. Despite our sorrow, we are celebrating your freedom from the hardships of the past years and are grateful that you and mom are together again. ALOHA AND HANG LOOSE!

Heartfelt thanks go out to the loving care and support from:

Brighton Hospice, in particular Nicole, Katie, Lisa, Amelia and Chaplain Mike.

Caroline, Jennifer and Jeff at Heritage Senior Living

Amada caregivers Loria Bonds and Trinette Kelley

Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to our aunt, Susan Glapinski and dear friend, Dick Peterson for their regular visits, and to our cousin Barbara Rehagen for her check-ins to see how dad was doing.

Dad is survived by sons Michael (Cindy), James (Barbara) and John (Renee). Further survived by grandchildren Michael (Emily), Laura (Rob) Kreiser, Christopher (Marc) Glapinski, Amy Glapinski, Erika (Nick) Cleaver and Brittany Glapinski; Great – grandchildren Amber and Michael Glapinski; Siblings Susan Glapinski and Charles (Carrie) Glapinski.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Max A. Sass & Sons-Westwood Chapel (W173S7629 Westwood Dr., Muskego, WI 53150) on Wednesday July 10th starting at 11AM until time of the Memorial Service at 12:30PM.