Michael Kin

YORK- Michael Kin, “Mike”, nearly 89 years old, died at home with the comforting presence of all his children on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Days earlier, he had suffered a traumatic brain injury and fall. Mike lived a full and dynamic life of selfless giving and joy. Endowed with a beautiful authenticity and vivacious smile he was immediately likeable and endeared himself to many. Needing little to be happy, he found great pleasure in time spent with family and friends, sharing stories of growing up during in the Great Depression, offering business suggestions, good-living advice and meeting bi-weekly with his ODCC oldies for a good burger, better conversation, and game of cards. Mike also enjoyed reading daily stock reports and outwitting Solitaire on his new IPad, keeping current with world news and politics, especially through C-Span and Sunday morning TV talk programs. High on his happiness-list late in life were times spent with his best friend and dearest companion, Helma Friedrich and viewing panoramic winter sunsets from his balcony in Jupiter, FL while listening to big band music of the war years with a “very diluted” scotch in hand. After surviving recurrent cancer five years ago and outliving his prognosis, he awoke every day feeling as if he had “won the lottery” and “surpassed his expiration date.” He always urged his family to take time to enjoy the simple things in life and to be mindful of the balance between work and play, as both were essential. He taught us all about doing and saying what needed to be shared when the opportunity occurred since it may not pass our way again. With a combination of genuine warmth, sensitivity, and humble self-assurance he was able to inspire others to be accepting and true to themselves in word and action. He was comfortable with the struggles during his beginnings as a first generation American and proud of the values that shaped his character during those years. He identified himself as a simple common man with no need for pretense or desire to be anything more. He loved acting silly, making goofy faces, and he would laugh so hard he often cried. Then we would cry too. Born in Syracuse, NY October 26, 1926 to immigrant parents Frank and Julia Kin, he was the second youngest of five children. It took many years to admit he was a proud “Uki” (Ukrainian); however, the traditions and customs brought into their family life were often the subject of fond memories that were carried forth into his own marriage and family later on. Mike earned his GED from a small Vo-Tech high school and enlisted in the Navy for a short time. He held numerous small jobs, including work in a box factory and shoe factory until he was hired by Carrier Corp., Syracuse, for a job he thoroughly enjoyed for 22 years. He worked in a variety of capacities there including, maintenance, and sales. But he was most proud of his work as a research assistant with Dr. Carl Pennington, who recognized his trustworthiness and attention to detail and advocated for his participation with several refrigeration projects and patents. Mike felt that this would be his one and only significant contribution. But years later after moving to York, PA, and losing his job at Therm-Air Corp., he found conviction and persistence (by necessity) to start his own small business selling fasteners. At the age of forty six, with the help of his cousin, Peter Zerebny, and no formal education to fall back on, he founded Military & Commercial Fasteners in York, PA, which is now entering it’s third generation of family ownership and is a very special career contribution and accomplishment that he could not foresee as a young man. Above all else, Mike’s devotion and involvement with his family and grandchildren were paramount. In 1954 he married Susan Bubnack of Minoa, NY (also a Uki) who he described as “giving my mind, food; my conscience, peace; and my heart, love.” He credited her for helping him to change into a better man. He felt completely blessed by the four children and life they created together which lasted nearly fifty one years until her passing in 2005. From his own family came fourteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren who now adore him beyond measure. He often commented that he wished his parents could have seen the life God blessed him with. He never missed a day to recite the rosary in intercessory prayer for those he loved. His spirituality and relationship with God was intimate, full of humility, and life sustaining. Mike will be deeply missed by his Children, Michelle Siewert (Craig) of York, PA, Mike and (Kay) Kin of Cleveland, NY, Ron and (Stephanie) Kin of York, PA, and Dave Kin of Wrightsville, PA. Grandchildren, Jason, Derek, Austin, and Tessa Siewert; Jesse, Summer, and Leah Kin; Mikala and Andrei Kin; Michael, Jake, Lakota Kin, and Edson Morales; Great-Grandchildren, Ellsa and Brysen Siewert; Patrick, Alaina, and Micah Siewert; Mabel and Violet Siewert; Noah and Piper Kin, and Jack Burchell; and Aaron Morales. He was preceded in death by a grandson Devin Kin. He is survived by a brother Bob and (Pat) Kin of Richmond Virginia, Peter Zerebny, Syracuse, NY, and several other cousins, nieces, and nephews. As his sons’ commented, Mike will be forever remembered as a “sweet, dear man” and one who was “authentically himself.” The family welcomes your visitation from 4 to 6 PM Sunday, (8/23) at Heffner’s Funeral Chapel, 1551 Kenneth Rd, York, PA 17408 followed by a Celebration of Life gathering. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 AM on Monday, (8/24) at St. Patrick Church, 231 South Beaver St., York, PA 17401 with the Rev. Keith M. Carroll officiating. Mike will be laid to rest in Holy Savior Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in Mike’s honor to the non-profit organization Friends for a York County Hospice Home, 1385 Brittany Dr., York, PA 17404. For all the incredible staff and caregivers from York Hospital’s Med-Surg ICU and Asera Care Hospice…we thank you so much for your love and how you were each divinely sent to our side to guide and support us at such a poignant time.