Joseph John Miko's Obituary
Joseph John Miko -- born February 1, 1933, died March 3, 2017. These are merely statistics that do not adequately describe his life among us.
Joe was born in what was then Czechoslovakia 84 years ago. When he was five years old his family fled this country just ahead of the German invasion in World War II, joining extended family members in Baltimore. His father, Imrich Miko, was a master cabinet maker, and his mother Margaret, became a creator of custom-made hats at Hutzler's department store. His loving parents instilled in him the value of hard work, and he soon got a part-time job working at the corner store and doing the family grocery shopping.
His early enrollment in school at St. Mary Star of the Sea was a challenge, being a stranger to the English language. But he persevered., and went on to graduate from Loyola High School, and finally, from what is now Loyola University, with a degree in Accounting.
Upon graduation, he sat for his CPA certificate and passed all five (at that time) segments in one session -- an outstanding achievement. He subsequently joined the Navy and was recommended for the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. It was here that he met his future bride, Dolores Poirier, a freshman at Salve Regina University. It was a brief four week courtship, since both had restricted times off campus, before he was off to the Philippines for 27 months. The courtship survived via snail mail, and they were wed in June, 1960, upon her graduation.
After their engagement Joe selected a lot in West Severna Park for their permanent home. He asked Dolores, still in college, to select a house from hundreds of plans, and proceeded to help build it with his dad and a friend. It was an arduous task of working years of evenings and weekends. He shared this home with the love of his life and with his children for over 55 years.
Soon his family grew with the addition of five children, and his dedication to them was unwavering. Over the years he coached numerous of his sons' little league teams, often skipping dinner and going directly to their playing fields or courts directly from work.
His Catholic religion was very important to him, and he instilled that in his children. After retiring he attended daily Mass, and faithfully served as a Pastoral Home Visitor, bringing Holy Communion and comfort to patients at nursing homes and to the homebound.
Through all this, he found time for building model ships and planes, working in the yard, woodworking, and being Mr. fixit. He played volleyball for many years and joined his team to compete in the national Senior Olympics. He enjoyed watching the birds, the butterflies, and the squirrels in the back yard, and made sure the birdfeeders were always filled.
Over the years he worked as an internal auditor at several agencies of the U.S. government, lastly at the Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General, from which he retired in 1989 to care for his ailing mother, and to spend more time with his expanding family.
Joe had a kind and gentle disposition. He led by example. His legacy is not measured by a huge portfolio, nor by fame. It is measured by the values he is leaving his progeny: his honesty, his patience, his hard work, his Christian values, his respect for others, his positive attitude, his humility, his dedication to family.
He may have left us behind, but his spirit will live on forever.
In addition to his loving wife, Joe is survived by his children, Monique MacKay, Stephen Miko (Lisa), Thomas Miko (Annette), Joseph Miko (Laddawan) and David Miko (Janice); his sister, Mary Scranton; his grandchildren, Chris and Laura MacKay; Meghan, Hannah, Connor and Caroline Miko; Caitlin and Lauren Miko; Corina and Nicole Miko; Rebecca and Joshua Miko; and a great granddaughter, Harmony MacKay.
A visitation will be held at Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care 814 Bestgate Rd. Annapolis, MD on Monday, March 6th from 3pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church at 689 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD on Wednesday, March 8th at 10:30 am. Burial will be held privately at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist building fund at 689 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD 21146.
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