Obituary of Michael Alan Gurecki

“I shall pass through this world but once: If therefore, there be any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again.” -plaque in Moores Park where Mike grew up. 

Michael Alan Gurecki, known by most as “Mike”, was born in 1949 to Mary and Pete Gurecki in Lansing, Michigan. He passed away on September 25, 2024 at the age of 75 years. Mike grew up on Moores River Drive and Schafer Road. He attended Saint Casimir Catholic School, and spent his childhood summers at Holland Lake in Sheridan water skiing and fishing with his family. After graduating from Everett High School in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

He was part of the H&S Company Guns, 1^st Battalion 5^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division. In Vietnam he was involved in the Tet Offensive, Battle of Hue City, and Liberty Bridge (An Hoa, Hoi An and Da Nang). He was by trade a 50-caliber machine gun operator but was also hand selected for sniper school. Additionally, he completed explosive ordnance disposal school which served him well when he acted as a point man in field operations. After his combat promotion to sergeant, Mike became a squad leader. Upon leaving Vietnam, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve until 1974. A true patriot, he was always proud of his service, his father’s WWII Naval service, his daughter’s current 15 years of Naval Service and his son’s completion of USMC Platoon Leaders Course. Making lifelong friends from his experience in the military, Mike enjoyed bi-weekly “staff meetings” (aka breakfasts) with other combat veterans in Michigan.

His professional achievements included the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Action Ribbon and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Months after his discharge from Vietnam, Mike received a Navy cross in the mail. He never thought he deserved it and rarely talked about it. Years ago, he left his Navy cross at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. 

Upon returning to the United States, he worked at Fisher Body in Lansing before joining the police academy.  After a duration at Ingham County Sheriff’s Department, he transferred his service to the Lansing Fire Department (LFD) and stayed for 26 years, retiring as a Battalion Chief and Emergency Medical Coordinator.  While at LFD, he continued to work part time for both Vermontville and Sunfield Police department for almost 20 years. Mike was in the first paramedic class out of Lansing Community College in the early 70’s and was a legendary medic at the fire department. He was a born teacher and taught Emergency Medical Technician classes at Lansing Community College, Advanced Cardiac Life Support at Michigan State University, and Explorer Classes for young adults who were considering firefighting as a career.  

Mike met his wife Kathy when she did a ride along with LFD. She was forewarned to never get scheduled with that “Gurecki” character.  It was well known that he was very blunt with an incredibly difficult personality. She ended up getting scheduled with him not once, but twice!  

Kathy was hired as a deputy/paramedic for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department. The two ended up running into each other at the hospital one night and got to talking. Mike knew she was scheduled for pistol qualification soon (as was he).  He cockily challenged her by saying that whoever got the lower score had to buy the other a fish dinner at the Williamston Sea Hawk Restaurant.  The challenge was accepted and much to Mike’s surprise, Kathy got her dinner. He shot a score of 248 out of 250 and she shot a 249. That dinner was the beginning of a 40-year relationship that included 37 years of marriage.  This allowed a lot of remedial range time for Mike! 

Mike was perhaps best known in the local community through “The Ammo Dump” which was a gun, ammunition and shooting/hunting supply store located between Williamston and Dansville.  He and Kathy opened the shop in 1987 and were active in it for 30 years.  Mike reloaded ammunition, offered gunsmithing services, and was a class A trap shooter to boot. He continued his love of teaching by becoming an NRA Instructor for shooting and concealed carry courses. He had a special interest in restoring WWII M-1 Garand Rifles. In college, his daughter would help him rebuild these Garands and when she moved away to join the Navy, his son took over. Mike shared this interest with his son until his death, spending a lot of quality time together working on various projects.   

He was a true man of intelligence and a walking encyclopedia of many topics ranging from guns and ammunition, world history, Disney, science, medicine, and the Mackinaw Bridge to name a few. He had an extensive reference library and could talk for hours rattling off dates, names, weapon specifications and could regurgitate quotes from any plaque he would stop to read. 

Mike had a passion for travel and hunting. He and Kathy started hunting out west in their early years together and later instilled the love of hunting into their children. From Idaho, Wyoming, and the flat tops of Colorado - they took their kids along on any feasible hunt. Every November 15th (white tail deer gun opener) Mike could be found in his beloved deer blind – which had all the comforts of home and was jokingly referred to as “The Condo”. In 2011, the family went to South Africa on a once in a lifetime hunting trip, just one of the many adventures his family took together. Mike and his family traveled extensively both in the United States and overseas. They visited Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean.  Much to the dismay of his traveling companions, if he saw a special monument, plaque or marker he would stop to read it – every single word!  His motto was that if someone had taken the time to make it, it deserved to be read. He loved the Mackinaw Bridge area, and spent many Labor Days doing the annual bridge walk.  The family completed the crossing again in 2024 where his granddaughter Leone held his hand as they walked over the finish line together.

A true jack-of-all trades, Mike’s hobbies and interests always seemed polarizing. A lover of anything ranging from antiques to tourist trap trinkets, from guns to Disney world, from music and polka dancing to quietly reading his book collection. His truck was always a mess, but his sock drawer was pristine with every pair of socks numbered. He was a collector of everything, quite literally - golf balls, stamps, Beanie Babies, Pokemon Cards, you name it! Mike was always the chief waffle maker for any family function. He was a S’more connoisseur who always made the most perfect golden brown marshmallow.  A lover of board games, puzzles, and Euchre he was always up for anything. Throughout his life, he enjoyed several hobbies to include scuba diving, skiing, winter and summer camping, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and shooting professional level trap.

Committed to always giving back to the community, he and his wife volunteered to be on the medical assistance team at Michigan’s Special Olympics for over 30 years. His two children were always in tow and grew up loving the Special Olympics community. He became actively involved with the Boy Scouts and eventually became a troop leader. He had the joy of watching his son complete the lengthy process to become an Eagle Scout and his daughter earning Venture Scout qualifications.  He enjoyed attending Vantown Community Church with his family and his Faith in God was strong.

Whether through his career in public service, his teaching opportunities, or his time spent telling stories, he had an impact on many. He was exceptionally proud of his two children and was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with them. He excitedly attended every one of his kid’s sporting events and extracurricular activities with his video camera in hand. He became “Pops” to his first Grandchild in 2022 and she became the center of his world.  Even when he wasn’t feeling the best, she would bring a smile to his face and he would get himself up to play with her. He spent quality time with his granddaughter by reading books, climbing stairs, dancing to Mickey Mouse songs, and going for side-by-side rides.

He was welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior along with his parents Pete and Mary Gurecki and grand baby Gurecki (“Fiddleford”).  

He is survived by his wife Kathy Van Patten, daughter Devan Gurecki (Michal Jarosz); son Ethan Gurecki (Ellie), granddaughter Leone (aka “Peanut”), sister Anne Gurecki; brothers Steve Gurecki, Tim Gurecki (Cathy), and special cat Bullet.  

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Elara Hospice.  

A private burial with military and fire department honors will be held for family only.

 An invitation to friends is extended for a memorial visitation which will take place at Vantown Community Church, 3504 E. Howell Rd, Webberville, MI 48892 on November 9, 2024 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  Attire is casual. As Mike always had a sweet tooth, the family will be serving ice cream and a variety of Mike’s favorite pies. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lansing City Rescue Mission at 2216 South Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910. They also have an on-line giving portal for memorials at https://bearescuer.kindful.com/.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.