Michael J. Polignoni (“Mike”) of Spokane Valley passed away surrounded by his family on September 19, 2024 at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Janet (“Jan”) Polignoni (nèe Timm) and his children, Paul (Julie) Polignoni and Alice Polignoni; his seven grandchildren, Gina Polignoni, Jenelle Polignoni, Janet Chissus (nèe Polignoni), Jennifer Polignoni, Paul Polignoni Jr., Tony Polignoni, and Michael Polignoni; and 21 great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son, John (Sheryl) Polignoni (d. 2014), and his siblings, Paul Polione, Irene Schmidt nèe Polignoni, Tony Polione, and Joseph Polignoni.
Mike was born in Spokane on April 1, 1929 with a jesting and playful personality to match. He was the youngest child born to Giuseppe and Antoinietta Polignone, who immigrated from Italy.
In 1951, Mike joined the United States Marine Corps and was sent to fight in Korea, earning a Purple Heart for his service in 1953. After returning home from war, he met Jan and they were married in June 1955, and settled down in Spokane Valley, spending 69 years together. Mike spent 45 years working for Columbia Lighting. In his retirement, he had many hobbies and interests that kept him busy. Up until a few weeks ago, he baked delicious fresh bread on the regular and gave it out to family and friends. He has affectionately been known as “Grandpa” and then “Grandpa Great” for the last 45 years.
From early childhood until his last days, Mike maintained his rascally personality. One of his favorite stories is from his youth in Spokane during World War II. He and some friends had a flashlight and would sneak around at night flashing it here and there to frustrate the neighborhood Air Raid Warden, whose job it was to maintain complete blackout. He always loved to laugh about the days when he would jump the fence of the local bottling company at night, take the empty bottles, and turn them back in for money the next morning. Recently, some kids jumped his own fence to pick Jan’s flowers. As she was about to go outside to tell them she would give them flowers “if they just knocked on the door and asked,” Grandpa replied, “well that’s no fun, Jan!”
A funeral service will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church at 503 N Walnut Rd., Spokane Valley, on Thursday, September 26 @ 10:00 AM.
The family would like to thank the staff of Valley Hospital and the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
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