Michael Joseph Busija's Obituary
Michael Joseph Busija left this life for his next adventure on Friday December 29, 2023. With all of his love, he said goodnight to his beloved wife of 55 years, Leona (Samaras). He celebrated a Christmas filled with joy and laughter with his daughters, Stacey Busija and Joanna Clift, and his grandchildren, Dane Leoniak, Olivia Leoniak, Evan Clift and Ryder Clift.
Mike, or Mikey Joe, as he was referred to by close friends and family, was born February 16, 1947 in Braddock, Pennsylvania to Joseph Michael Busija and Gladys (Poropatic). He was the eldest of 4 boys and had some funny stories about that. He is survived by brothers Martin (wife Cindy, niece Jennifer Posey, nephew Martin) and David (wife Nancy, nieces Sara and Anna). He is predeceased by brother Brian (wife Janet); they are surely catching up now and sharing laughs. He also spent time over the holiday with his favorite sister-in-law Bridget Millett (husband Ken, nephews Stephen and Justin, niece Ashley Basso).
Mike entered the United States Marines in 1966 and served his country proudly. He married his high school sweetheart and worked hard to care for and support his family throughout his life. (No one should be remembered for where they worked so that list is omitted.)
Mike is remembered by those who knew him as the neighbor you went to when you needed help. He was the owner and expert on every tool you might ever need for any problem and who you went for the “how-to” long before there was YouTube. He would offer his help to all. When his daughters left home, he was the first phone call for all questions home or car related. And he always had the answers.
Mike’s love language was acts of service. (Which he would say is stupid.) He would mow both his mother and his mother-in-law’s lawns on the weekends on top of his own, because that’s what he did. He had a never ending “to-do” list that he worked on every day. He loved to be busy.
Mike’s family was always his priority and he was everything to them. While living in western PA and working in northern NJ, he would drive home every weekend to see his family. He attended every majorette parade, school activity, and ballet performance of his daughters with pride. He was the best sled-riding track-maker. Every Christmas he would lift his young daughters to put the star on the Christmas tree, according to whose turn it was. He always checked on Christmas morning to make sure Santa had come. A couple of times, it was so early in the morning that Santa had not yet come! He was the maker of weekend breakfasts and loved to “Army trumpet call” you awake when it was ready. He would stand vigilantly on the porch to make sure any of his daughters’ would-be suitors opened the car door for them... only a few times did he have to send a boy scurrying to the passenger’s side with a “What, my daughter isn’t good enough for you to open her door?” Stacey and Joanna’s friends were always welcomed and loved (and teased) like they were part of the family.
As much as he loved his wife and daughters, his grandchildren were his pride and joy, his favorite people ever. As a PopPop, he showed the same love and support to his grandchildren. He was always in the audience for games, concerts, recitals, and graduations. As recently as the day before he left us, he taught Dane and Evan a couple of things about home maintenance. He was the "World’s Greatest PopPop" and had the merch to prove it.
Mike rebuilt a 1930 Model A Ford with minimal yelling at his staff, aka his family. He knew how to do it all- from cars, to construction of a life sized playhouse for his daughters, to additions on real houses. He knew everything and he could do anything.
He was a lover of old war movies and excelled in channel flicking. (Usually waiting for you to get interested in the program and then changing it.) Mike enjoyed sitting in his lawn chair in the driveway with a glass of wine and watching the day pass.
At his request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to support veterans (Tunnels to Towers), or go buy yourself something at Home Depot. Because, honestly, he doesn’t care what you do or don’t do with your money.
Most importantly, he was the best Daddy ever!
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