Michael A. Voglis

Michael A. Voglis, age 92, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 20, 2020.

Michalis (Michael) Athanasios Voglis, was born just outside of Athens, Greece on November 4, 1928, although his Mother swore it was November 5th because she heard the clock strike twelve right before the second son of Athanasios and Ifigenia Voglis was born.

In Greece, each child is educated in a second language from grade school through high school.  Mike attended the French school. Upon graduation he planned to go to Paris for college. His brother George, attended the English school and went to college in the U.S. He convinced Mike to go to America instead.

His first job when he arrived in America was working in his uncle’s restaurant, The Oritani Diner in Hackensack, New Jersey. He lived with his aunt and uncle and cousins Alice, George, and Michael Lendrihas.

He began his college education at Bergen Junior Community College (now the Teaneck campus of Fairleigh Dickinson). It was there he met the love of his life, Joan Sheldon. Joan was a nursing student at Barnert Hospital in Paterson and met Mike while taking required courses at Bergen Junior.

Their real chemistry happened in the Student Lounge where the magic of a juke box and a dashing Greek dancer charmed all the ladies; but it was Joan who captured his heart. And the dancing led to a 68-year marriage, six children, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

After college graduation, Mike obtained full-time employment at Givaudan Corporation in Clifton, NJ. During his tenure there, he served as the Union President for the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, Local 8-559, AFL-CIO, Delawanna, NJ. He was the go-to guy for his co-workers. He successfully negotiated several contracts and made sure everyone got the best possible outcomes. It was at Givaudan he received the moniker, “Greek.” He retired after 45 years of employment and was honored with a huge retirement party.

The family home in Wayne was established in 1960 after he won $1,500 in the lottery. Mike and Joan found a three-bedroom, one bath home on a dirt road in Wayne. Part of the house dated back to the 1800s and had no foundation. That didn’t stop Mike. He hand-dug a basement, famously starting the process with a soup spoon, affectionately known as “the dirt spoon.” After the basement was adequately deep, the house was raised and a new foundation was built. Home improvements continued for the next year with the help of his father-in-law, Walter Sheldon. In 1962, the family moved from 400 Broadway in Paterson, NJ to what is now affectionately known as “63.”

Mike also loved his dog, Jet. Jet returned that love tenfold. Whenever he came home, Jet would wag her tail and howl “Hello.” Really, she actually said that! We all believe Jet was among the first to greet Dad in Heaven.

He also loved soccer. He was an avid fan of The Cosmos and even got to see the great Pelé play. In 1977, he served as head coach for The Getaways, a Wayne PAL soccer team. The previous season, they had the worst record in the league, but Mike was determined to have a winning season and actively scouted and recruited players from Wayne, including his sons Tom and John. His roster was so strong, they had a 15-1 season and played in the Championship Game. It was the season’s only loss and ironically, to a team called The Acropolis!

His passion for fishing, either in a small brook, Toms Lake, the Atlantic Ocean or Aegean Sea was shared with his family. All of his children have fishing with Dad memories. Sometimes Mike would strip leaves off branches from the family’s willow tree and add a string so everyone could have a fishing pole. Other times it was chartered fishing expeditions off Point Pleasant. In Greece, it could be snorkeling in the sea to find octopus for dinner. And he could fillet a fish like a five-star chef.

Like Zorba, Mike’s love of life included dancing, cooking, and being with family. He was a pragmatic man, not impressed with “things.” It was not unusual to see him under a car on a Saturday changing his own oil or fixing a broken fuel pump. He truly cared more about people than things and always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

One undeniable fact, he deeply loved Joan. It is said the greatest gift a man can give his children is to love their mother. He blessed us all with that knowledge.

Surviving are his wife, Joan (nee) Sheldon. Children: Linda Gottfried (Brad), Diane Hewitt (Bill, d. 2017), Nancy Dann (Roger), Tom Voglis and John Voglis. His son Michael Voglis predeceased in 1984. Grandchildren: Thomas Nieman (Janine) and Michael Nieman (Joanne), Benjamin Berry, Stephanie Berry (Jordan Malenke), Steven Dann (Janice), Emily and Kevin Dann, Michael and Melissa Voglis, Derek and Erika Voglis. Great-Grandchildren: Aiden and Amelia Nieman, Aleah Voglis, Adina and Elias Nieman, Everly and Jack Malenke.