Constantine Zinon Michael

Constantine Z. Michael, of Wellington, FL and Syosset, NY passed away after a long battle with illness on February 23rd, 2015, he was 95 years old. Called 'Mike' by his friends and colleagues, he is survived by his son Nicholas Michael of Bedford, MA and his daughter Maria Michael of Pleasant Hill, CA. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Jane Turner Michael and his grandchildren Elyssa, Adam, and Christopher Michael and Ephthalia and Florian Schwarzinger Michael. Born in Ismailia, Egypt , Mike was the only child of Eleni (Helen) Thomas Michael of Kephalonia, Greece and her husband, Zinon Michael a British subject and citizen of Cyprus., Mike immigrated to the United States on the Isle de France with his mother in 1930, coming through Ellis Island, to join his father, who had previously attained his US citizenship. They subsequently settled in Manhattan, NY.

After graduating from Harren High School in 1938, where he studied avionics, Mike worked for Grumman Aircraft (1939 – 1942) and was involved with designing the F4F Hellcat, the F6F Wildcat and the TBF Avenger, all of which saw action for the Navy in World War II. Mike subsequently went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Signal Corps between December 4th 1943 and May 9th, 1946.

On February 24th 1946, he married Dena Zepatos – strongly encouraged by both of their mothers. Dena was the love of his life. Adding her honey to his lemon, they became inseparable until Dena passed just over two years ago. Mike spent the past two years looking forward to rejoining her, which he did just in time to celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary.

Following the war, Mike resumed his education at New York University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in June of 1954 while simultaneously beginning a career with Republic Aviation Corp., a defense manufacturer in Farmingdale, NY. During his nearly four decade tenure at Republic he served in a variety of engineering and management positions working on the following aircraft for the US Air Force: F-84 Thunderjet, the F-105 Thunderchief and the A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog). He was also involved with Republic's sub contract work on the Boeing 747 and with Grumman's Apollo Lunar Landing Vehicles. Mike retired from Fairchild/Republic on January 1st, 1982.

Mike was a long-time and devoted member of St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach, FL and of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hempstead, NY. He served enthusiastically as President of the Parish Council at both churches. He also served on the boards of several church and community related organizations such as the Festival Committee, the Greek (Youth) School Committee, the Boy Scout Troup 568 in Hempstead, NY and was the unofficial church photographer at both churches.

Although short in stature, Mike had a big heart and a strong voice. He was a loving and caring son, husband and father. He worked hard at his craft and was very focused on helping his compatriots when things got tough at Republic and in the defense industry, often finding them jobs with other aircraft manufacturers. He relaxed by working in his garden and his photo dark room. He enjoyed hunting deer though he never, ever shot one. He was significantly more successful in deep sea fishing for tuna off Montauk Point, NY.

Viewing and Trisagion prayers will be offered on February 25th, at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach between 6:30 pm and 8:30p. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 26th, at St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 at 11:00 am. A makaria will follow immediately after the funeral.

A Church Service honoring his memory will also take place at St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hempstead, NY on March 2nd at 11:00 am, followed by his internment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY.

Eternal be his Memory.