Michael E. Haburay Jr.

Michael was born June 16, 1938, in New Britain, to Michael Haburay Sr., a house builder of Czechoslovakian descent and Anna Steinoth Haburay, Polish, famous for her delicious golumpkis and for doting on Michael, the youngest of three, refusing to trim Michael’s golden locks until age 2 (or maybe 3). No doubt, his adoring older sisters, Dot and Margaret encouraged this unorthodox decision. Michael and his sisters grew up in the house their dad built and later, all three families lived as neighbors in homes also built by “Grandpa Haburay,” sharing meals and holidays and countless family memories with grandparents, aunts and uncles and all the cousins on that little street in Milldale.

“Micky” was a graduate of Southington High School (where he met Mary). He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Haven, the class ring he would wear proudly his entire life.

Michael was a dreamer of big ideas and big adventures. As a young executive, working as a trainer for a multinational company, John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” took on special meaning for the family sending Dad off to Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and later traveling with the entire family to South Africa and Greece. Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led to several businesses of his own and returned the family to Connecticut.

Outside of work, Michael had a wide range of interests. “Mike” was a proud member of the Madison Exchange Club, enjoying bonds of collegiality and friendship. He especially enjoyed cooking at various events, the Fourth of July Parade and the yearly Christmas tree sales.

Michael loved fishing, especially fly-fishing, always carrying a pole in the trunk of the car for impromptu fishing excursions, declaring (if you happened to be a passenger), “just a few casts.”

He loved to cook, especially elaborate dishes, eggs benedict, steak Diane, pirogues, his famous BBQ chicken and ribs (one of his mother-in-law’s favorites). He even mastered Grandma Riera’s paella. Yes, Grandma Frances adored Michael!

Besides his paella cookery, there were so many reasons to love Michael. In a world often bitter and harsh, it takes strength to remain gentle and kind and yet he was consistently so. He was a gentle, kind, sweet man who wanted everyone to get along and have a great time. Michael had a charming sense of humor that made Grandma Frances giggle and laugh freely, even maybe when she didn’t want to. He did that. He made you smile and laugh even when you didn’t feel like it. He forgave easily and didn’t hold a grudge. He was a peacemaker.

Michael’s favorite gesture was the peace sign. If you know Michael, you know this. There are approximately one million photos with Michael extending the sign of peace.

That said, if Michael had a little bit of devil in him, it was in April. No one was safe from Michael’s ubiquitous April fools’ jokes, universally successful for mostly one reason. Michael would strike before his subjects were fully awake. One chilly April 1st morning, he set the clocks ahead, alarmedly woke his three, bleary-eyed children, rushed them to the bus stop, let them hang out there a while confused (Where are all the other children? Why is it so dark?), before finally declaring “April Fools” and serving a consolation pancake breakfast.

In his youth, Michael enjoyed playing sports, especially track and baseball. This enthusiasm continued throughout his life. Golf, football (the Giants), baseball (the Red Sox), basketball (UCONN). He loved it all, but never so much as with his grandchildren, Michael and Mary, attending their sporting events, wearing their t-shirts and jerseys and cheering them on. For him, win or lose, his grandchildren were the best-of-the-best. No contest.

Back-in-the-day, with his buddy, Ray Thorpe, Michael was invited to play trumpet in the first ever Southington High School band. This began a life-long love for music, particularly jazz music, most particularly traditional jazz and most especially, Louis Armstrong, his all-time favorite. Michael loved attending the Essex Jazz Festival every summer with his family, arriving very early, rain or shine and staying late. To Michael’s never-ending delight, the amazing Galvanized Jazz Band of New England fame, led by Fred Vigorito on trumpet, performed at Michael’s 86th birthday celebration. The encore tune, of course, was “When the Saints Go Marching In” because “They always end the concert with Saints!”

In addition to his wife Mary of 63 years, Michael will be deeply missed by his three children Scott, Debra and Laura, his grandchildren Michael E. Haburay III and Mary Haburay (2.0), his beloved nieces and nephews and many, many friends, old and new.

Michael is predeceased by his dear sisters, Dorothy and Marguerite, his brothers and sisters by marriage, Freddie, Carmen, Ray, Joe, Greg, Frances and most recently Nick, all of whom are dearly loved and missed by many. May they all be reunited with Michael in peace and love. We know too, Michael’s pets Redbone, Slug, Lennie, Chris and many others are celebrating their long-awaited reunion with their dad! Let the eternal romping begin!

Finally, Michael's family would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Gladeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation for their care and many acts of friendship, kindness and support for Michael and the entire family, especially in his final months and days.

Family and friends may call at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, Monday, October 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Margaret Catholic Church, Academy Street in Madison, 12:00 p.m. A private interment will take place on a later date at Saint Thomas Cemetery in Southington.

To share a memory of Michael or send a condolence to his family, please visit: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/madison-ct/michael-haburay-12029576