Michael Matthew Brechko

Michael Matthew Brechko (92) of Windsor passed away peacefully on June 30th, 2011 at home.  Michael was born on October 26, 1918 in Binghamton, New York and spent his early years growing up in the City’s First Ward.  After marrying Lulu Caroline Boyer, the love of his life, and following the birth of the first of four sons he went on to serve in the 28th Infantry Division during World War II.  He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was held prisoner at Stalag 9B in Bad Orb, Germany.  He was declared MIA for 4 months until he was freed by General Patton’s army. Michael is a member of the American Legion.
For most of his career Michael ran the paperback book business for A. M. Pierson, a newspaper, magazine and book wholesaler. He serviced stores throughout the Central Southern Tier until he retired in 1980.  He had a strong work ethic and worked long hours to support his family. His sons will always remember their dad for the family fishing vacations in Canada he scheduled each year when they were growing up.  Love of family and a deep faith in God were key factors in his long life.  Over the years he had been active with the church and had a strong bond to his faith.  He deeply loved his Lord.  His strong belief in family and marriage for life was often expressed in his sharing with others the total number of years of marriage for him and his sons (233 years and still counting). He also loved singing along to music and would often serenade his wife with oldies from the 30’s and 40’s. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren for the names and expressions he would frequently use for people and events, which was his way of coping with the changing world he lived in.
The Lord called Michael from this life to join his parents, Frank and Anna Brechko, his older sisters Anna, Julia and Mary and his younger brother John.  Michael is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Lulu; his four sons and their spouses; Michael and Rosemary, John and Linda, Robert and Valerie, and Thomas and Donna; his eleven grandchildren and their spouses Dennis (Kristen), Christine (Bill Bracken), Daniel (Tania), Jason (Heather), Andrew (Becky), Aaron (Cate), Jennifer (Michael  Alphonse), Nicholas (Amanda), Kate (Nicholas Chappell), Brian (Anita)and Jacob (Jamie); and sixteen great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their thanks to Lourdes Hospice for their care, support and compassion. With special thanks to Melanie, Cindy, Rhonda and Dixie.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday July 5th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  at Ernest H. Parsons Funeral Home,  71 Main St. , Binghamton . A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m.   St. Joseph Catholic Church,  Rt. 7,  Sanitaria Springs.

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