Michael A. Kolesar

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Michael A. Kolesar, 101, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, with his family and dog, Ricky, by his side.

He was born on Sept. 29, 1914, in Ironwood, Mich., and was the ninth of 17 children.

His deeply rooted Catholic upbringing and faith were a cornerstone of his life. He was founding member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman. He loved traveling, camping, hunting and fishing. Mike and his wife, Regina "Keech," traveled and visited all 50 states.

He turned his love for baseball into a career pitching professionally for three years from 1936 to 1939. He joined the Marines in 1942 and served in the Pacific, where he was injured. Instead of going home, he went back and was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a boxer and champion bowler. He worked for the USPS and retired in 1975. A people person, he had a fervent zest for life and was always helping people out.

He was a devoted family man and will be dearly missed. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell and we all got a kick out of him when he laughed at his own jokes.

He is survived by his children, Mitchie, of Sacramento, Dan (Nancy) of Libby, Mont., Dave (Lana), of San Jose and Mick (Sharon), of Elk Grove; 10 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; his brother, Bernard "Bobo" of Ironwood; sisters-in-law, Mary Revoy, of Ironwood, and Betty Kolesar, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis .; brother-in-law, James Soraruf, of Ypsilanti, Mich .; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dog, Ricky.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Regina "Keech;" his parents, John and Mary Kolesar; 15 brothers and sisters, and many in-laws and friends.

Funeral services have taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Loaves & Fishes at sacloves.org or St. Vincent de Paul at svdp-sacramento.org.