It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mieczyslaw (Mike) Nowak. Born on March 18, 1941, in Klikowa, Poland, he passed away on December 22, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Romana (nee Sak), his children Karina (Anthony) and Rafal (Svetlana) and his pride and joy, his six grandchildren, Charlize, Lillian, Alexandra, Timlan, Christopher and Peter. He cherished being a “dziadek” above all.

As the youngest and last surviving of his siblings, Mieczyslaw faced early hardships, losing his mother at the age of five and growing up in post-war Poland. Despite these difficulties, he took pride in his dedication and perseverance, exemplified by his perfect attendance record throughout his school years.

In 1972, Mieczyslaw immigrated to Canada, where he built a new life, and ultimately retired from Ford Motor Company. In his spare time, he enjoyed tinkering with everything from cars to computers, often fixing things with equal parts duct tape and hope. He could not be still - he raised chickens, built countless structures and even kept bees for a short time. He loved to drive and tried his hand at long-haul trucking, which allowed him to see parts of Canada and the U.S. he had previously not seen.

Mieczyslaw was an avid reader and a true animal lover, caring deeply for all creatures—from pigeons to goats, cats, and dogs, especially his last and beloved dog, Muszka.

Mike spent his final years at St. Peter’s at Chedoke, where he found peace and an appreciation for his life’s journey. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude for the care he received. Special thanks are also extended to the Hamilton General Hospital and the kind and compassionate medical professionals for their support during his last days.

Visitations will be held at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 12 P.M., with a prayer service at 1 P.M. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Private cremation, funeral mass, and interment at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, will follow at a later date.