Michael Lynn Losey

A man who loved his family, Mike Losey never wanted to miss an opportunity to have his family around him. He adored his wife, three daughters and his grandson. He was hardworking, adventurous and could easily spark up a conversation with someone he had never met. Amongst everything, he had a heart of gold.

The year 1955 saw Rock & Roll music popularity increasing and featured Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters. “The Mickey Mouse Club” debuted on ABC, the Broadway musical “Peter Pan” was broadcast live on television, Disneyland opened in California along with Ray Kroc starting the McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain. The year also saw tragedy of the popular movie star, James Dean who died in a car wreck not long after laws were put in place requiring seat belts to be installed on all new cars and the start of Vietnam on Nov. 1, 1955. On Aug. 19, 1955, in Hudson, Mich., the only thing important to Terence Lee Losey and Lorry Ann (Beach) Losey was the announcement of the birth of their second child and only son, Michael Lynn Losey.

Mike grew up in Pittsford, Mich., on a rural farm. He loved being outdoors and at an early age enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking. Like most farm children, he also learned the value of hard work. While attending Pittsford High School, Mike was involved with the FFA, looked forward to shop class and played football. He would go on to graduate with the Class of 1974. He continued his education and went to journeyman’s school to learn the trade and skills of being a tool and die maker; which he did proudly for the next 40 years and always thought every engineer should learn his skill before they start designing projects.

Starting his adult work career, Mike first was at Daveco Die in North Adams, Mich.,, Amerian Tooling in Jackson, Mich., for over 15 years and would retire from ArcelorMittal in Pioneer, Ohio in 2017. During his career, Mike met a lady that would change his life. On July 29, 1978, he married Lori A. Smith at Pittsford Wesleyan Church. They would welcome three daughters into their heart and home, Heather, Jennifer and Amanda.

As a family they would go on adventurous hikes, camping and canoeing. Mike loved taking his girls to Lost Nations in Hillsdale, Hocking Hills, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and relaxed on trips to St. Augustine, Fla., where he enjoyed fishing on the beach, unexpectedly catching a small hammerhead shark on one occasion. Family meant so much to Mike and he tried to involve his family with his adventurous side. He involved them by taking them hunting, fishing in the summer and winter and working on cars. Mike also was a woodworker and enjoyed swimming as they lived on Lake Diane.

With his daughters all living around the Fort Wayne,area, Mike and Lori made the decision to sell their lake home. After living the past 11 years on Lake Diane, they moved to Fort Wayne in 2018. They would move one last time together to Columbia City just four months before he unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 63 on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2019, at his home.

Survivors include loving wife of 41 years, Lori Losey; daughters, Heather Losey, Jennifer Losey, both of Fort Wayne and Amanda (Andrew) Potts, of Columbia City; father, Terry (Sheryl) Losey, of Camden, Mich.; mother, Lorry Losey, of Fenton, Mich., sisters, Sandy Easler, Kelli (Tracy) Bowlby and Lesley (Ed) Patow; honorary daughter, Amy Lee “LeeLee”; grandson, Winston Potts; and his beloved chocolate lab, Sargento.

A private family service will be held and then a gathering of family and friends will be 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug, 6, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. A celebration of life will take place between 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug, 18,in Hillsdale at the Jefferson Township Hall, 2537 S. Bird Lake Road, Osseo, Mich. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the family, ICO Lori.