Michael Edward Harmicar, Sr

Michael Edward Harmicar, Sr. Surrounded by his family, Michael Edward Harmicar, Sr., of Austintown, Ohio, died unexpectedly of complications from pancreatic cancer on November 23rd at St. Elizabeths Hospital. He was born on July 8th, 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio to Ellen Regina (Dillon) and Edward Harmicar. He graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1968. He attended Youngstown State University but left for a position with Youngstown Welding and Engineering. He then spent 31 years on the line at General Motors in Lordstown under his nickname "The Hammer". After retirement, Michael held many other positions of interest including selling GM automobiles. He was a 3rd degree Knight with the Campbell Knights of Columbus 13466 and an avid golfer. In fact, he loved all sports and enjoyed coaching little league baseball. He was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and volunteered at the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cheryl Althea Harmicar (Zeigler), his daughter Keri Harmicar (David Seman) of Pittsburgh, PA, his son, Ryan Pisella, (Jamie) of Fowlerville, MI and his son Michael Harmicar, Jr. of Liberty, OH, his sister Sue Wilcox of Austintown, OH, his brother Edward Harmicar (Lori) of Salem, OH, his sister Kathryn Banyon, (Gregg) of McDonald, OH, and an uncle, Frank Harmicar (Carole) of Poland, OH. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Kristine Woodson (Clyde), Byron Wilcox (Domarita), Amy Harmicar, Kyle Harmicar, Drew Banyon (Ashley Luehrman), Conor Banyon, and his grandchildren, Lincoln, Hunter, Alyssa, Owen, and Chase. Michael is survived by a long list of loving family and friends. An even longer list would be of the things he survived during his time on earth. He has been electrocuted. He has broken numerous bones only to have them broken again. He has been pummeled with baseballs. He was ejected from a moving vehicle after being struck by a dump truck. He survived one of the most rare forms of cancer (95) and even survived its experimental treatmentnow required reading for medical students. He has conquered heart disease and managed diabetes. He has fallen from rafters and nearly overdosed on Doritos. And most recently, he developed pancreatic cancerbeating those odds as well since, when he died, all indications were he was cancer-free. He was a man who took what came his way, dealt with it (with Cheryls help) and moved on. Some say he was an alien for surviving all that he has gone through, and the mother ship has called him home. But Michael, a practicing Catholic, knew his final resting place was in heaven. For certain, those of us he leaves behind will have to take his lead, deal with his passing, and move on with him in our hearts. Friends may call on Thursday_from 5-8 p.m. at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel and 10- 11 am Friday followed by the prayer service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests material tributes take the form of donations to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley. Friends and family may view this obituary and give their condolences at www.lanefuneralhomes.com.