Michael Lawrence Grigalonis, 81, son of Joseph and Josephine (Yuzzi) Deriscavage Grigalonis, Lakewood, Barnesville Pa., died Tuesday, October 4th, at his home in Barnesville, surrounded by his family.

Mike was born and raised with his older brother, Joseph (Smokey) in Mahanoy City where he attended St. Joseph's Elementary and Mahanoy City High School Class of 1958.  Mike attended Bloomsburg State Teacher's College receiving his BS and subsequently teaching History in Maryland and Pennsylvania Schools.  Offered a new opportunity, Mike changed careers taking a sales position with Yellow Freight Systems. He spent over 25 years with Yellow where he was eventually promoted to terminal manager, with locations in Bloomsburg and Hometown.

Mike married Peggy Guinan in 1970 after falling in love enjoying guitar jam sessions and appreciating their love of music and each other's life values..  Mike's tenor voice thrilled Peggy throughout their 52 years together. His beautiful voice and love of family were continually demonstrated at annual family gatherings and Christmas Sing-a-Longs

Mike and Peg were blessed with two children, Meg Frizzola and Michael Grigalonis and four grandchildren Matthew, Margaret (Maggie) , Ryan and Madelyne (Maddie).

At age 18, Mike began his lifelong passion of the daily jog.  Each day, Mike could be seen in Lakewood Park, the streets of Park Crest or occasionally the railroad tracks running ten miles.  Wintertime meant jogging the same three plowed blocks in Park Crest.  Every vacation the family took included a run or hike:  up a volcano in Hawaii, along the rivers of the US and Europe, even getting lost in Vancouver and taking a taxi back to the hotel.

Along with exercise, Mike loved golf and belonged to the Mahanoy City Golf League playing weekends and Sunday tournaments.   He truly cherished his group of friends, their golf trips, winter getaways and "doggie frizzles" The Grigalonis annual 4th of July party was the event of the year.  For years, Mike spent Saturdays going to or watching the Penn State University Football Team.  Along with these activities with friends there was always time to read an historical novel, a great detective story, finish a crossword puzzle or work a word jumble in the daily paper.

After Mike retired, he began his favorite job, babysitting.  If it took a 4-hour daily drive, carrying a baby for a stroller ride in Valley Forge or crashing a golf cart, Mike did it.

Mike proudly served daily mass at St. Joseph's Church as a young man and after marriage was a member of St. Richard's Church. Barnesville. He faithfully visited the sick and brought Meals on Wheels to the Mahanoy City Community.

Mike was truly a one-of-a-kind husband and father.

Mike is survived by wife, Margaret "Peg" Guinan Grigalonis, daughter Meg Frizzola and husband Steve, Glenn Mills, son Michael Grigalonis and wife, Jennifer Bair Grigalonis, Downingtown: Grandchildren Matthew and Margaret "Maggie" Frizzola and Ryan and Madelyne "Maddie" Grigalonis, and his brother Joseph and wife Gloria Rubel Grigalonis, Mechanicsburg.

Friends and family may call Friday October 7th from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Richards Church, Barnesville, at 9 AM on Saturday, October 8th, with Rev. Robert Finlan officiating.

Interment will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery Mahanoy City, PA.

Donations may be made to the Mahanoy Area Historical Society, Mahanoy City Public Library or the Michael J. Fox Parkinsons Foundation.