- Date Of Death: January 5, 2007
- State: Michigan
Michael John Hojnacki, 56, of Union Pier, Michigan, died Friday, January 5, 2007, at his home surrounded by family and friends.Mike was born May 13, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois to Matthew and Genevieve (Blajsczak) Hojnacki. He graduated from St. Philip Basilica High School in Chicago with honors in 1968 and the School of the Art Institute on Chicago in 1973 with a BFA in Design and a minor in Filmmaking. Mike married Mary Susan (Marisue) Scafidi on August 14, 1971 in Forest Park, Illinois.
He was owner of Natural Union in Union Pier from 1974 to 1976, Manager of Rainbow Gardens in Bridgman from 1976-1978, Corporate Manager of Sawyer Products, Inc., in Sawyer from 1977-1979, Partner with his wife in Artistic Energy Group from 1979 to 1985 and in 1985 Artistic Energy Group, Inc. purchased the Galien River Gazette and Three Oaks Shopper, which was renamed and combined into the Southcounty Gazette. He also started The Other Side of the Lake publication. During that time the paper won numerous awards and was named Michigan’s Best Weekly (Class C) from the Michigan Press Association in 1991. In 1998 he sold the papers. Since that time he has done design and marketing for various clients as Artistic Energy Group, Inc. and design work for Topp Press of Union Pier.
He has served as Secretary and member of the Three Oaks Downtown Development Authority, Past President and Lion of the Year of the New Buffalo Lions Club, Member of the Michigan Press Association 1985-1998, Co-chair and Committee member of the Ship and Shore Festival, Board of Director and Past President of the Harbor County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director, Past President and President of the Three Oaks Business Association, Board of Director of Harbor Arts, and member of the Chikaming Township Board of Appeals.He is survived by his wife; brothers Matthew (Mary Jane); John (Jean); sisters: Ann Marie (Scott Robertson); Mary Clare (Richard Carlson); Phyllis; Peggy (James Dolinar); Brother-in-law Richard Danca Scafidi (Anne), Nephews: Steve, Jason, Matt, Nicholas, Jeff, Eric, Ryan, Christopher, Scott and Michael; and Nieces: Katherine Ann, Sarah, Katherine, Amy, Michele, Ann and Laura.He was preceded in death by his son Christopher Robin, his father Matthew and his mother Genevieve.He will be missed by his beloved pets Typo, Celeste, Quicken, Sassafrass, Tulip, Rainbow and Cloud.
