Michael Maslanek

Michael (Mike) Maslanek passed away at the age of 69 on May 22, 2016. Born in Paterson, NJ, Mike grew up in nearby Haledon. He was born to Mildred Maslanek (nee Suhaka) and Stephen Maslanek. Mike attended St. Mary HS in Paterson, was a graduate of Fordham University, earned a Masters Degree in Psychology from the New School for Social Research, and a Masters in Reading from Montclair State University.

In 1969, Mike moved to Jackson Heights, NY after marrying the love of his life. They were married almost 47 years and had two wonderful children. Mike and his family moved to Congers, NY in 1985.

Mike was an educator, a vocational counselor and a lifelong learner. He loved animals, had a passion for music, art, literature and nature, where he hiked along spectacular mountain trails in different parts of this country. He deeply cared about social justice issues, the poor and marginalized; he celebrated when this country elected our first African American President two times, and was happy when on June 26, 2015 the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Marriage Equality as the law of the land.

Mike is survived by Rita Maslanek (nee Negron), his wife and soulmate; two beloved children, Robin and Mike, Jr.; his brother, Paul, Aunt Sophie Zdrojeski, cousin Shelley Campbell & husband, Joe; cousins Jennifer & Lauren Campbell; sisters-in-law, Edna Kendel and Lillian Ostrander; brother-in-law, Carmelo Negron & wife, Milagros; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

A service to celebrate The Life of Michael Maslanek will be held later in June at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Haworth, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s name to the Southern Poverty Law Center at www.splcenter.org; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at www.mskcc.org; or Nyack Hospital at www.nyackhospital.org.