BANGOR – Michael S. Spekhardt, U.S. Army retired, 71, passed away peacefully June 16, 2007, at his home. He was born Jan. 28, 1936, in Union, N.J., at the home of his parents, Michael and Mary (Boczko) Spekhardt. Dad grew up in Union, graduating from Union High School and then, Seton Hall University in 1957. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army, June 1957 and entered active duty, November 1957. He served in Germany, Korea and Vietnam and several stateside posts. He earned several awards, including the Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal and the Purple Heart, before retiring, November 1977. He was a former member of the Bangor Noontime Rotary and BPOE 1583, Union, N.J. He was also a former Eucharistic minister, communicant and lec-tor at St. Mary’s Parish, Bangor, and was a current member of the American Legion and the VFW. He met and fell in love at first sight with Betty Nagle, July 1957 and they married June 25, 1960. He and mom raised five children, first in various posts through his military career and then permanently moved to Bangor upon his retirement. Dad then began teaching at Bangor High School, as the senior Army instructor for the JROTC program, and continued this second career until January 1991. He always stated that “the students developed self confidence, self esteem and a ‘can-do’ attitude by accepting leadership positions in the JROTC program, and they kept me young in the process.” He was so very proud of his students and enjoyed watching them excel at the challenges of the program and seeing the sense of accomplishment shine in their faces. He and Betty then built their dream cottage on Prince Edward Island in 1994, where they spent as much of their summer time as possible to “recharge their batteries.” There they discovered a very special second family of friends, who always welcomed them home each June, Kenny, Deanna and Marcie, Irene and Mae, Arlene and Ron, and Myrtle and Bordy. You are all so special and were loved so much by him. Our family thanks you eternally for the love and care you showed him all these years. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 37 years, Beatrice (Nagle) Spekhardt, in 1997; his brother, Joseph; special in-laws, Peggy and Paul “Pete” Ahern and Barbara Gray; nephew, Paul Ahern; and special grandson, Andrew. He is survived by his daughters and sons, Michele Spekhardt and her children, Jeffrey and Elizabeth, Stephen Spekhardt and his children, Michael and Kristen, Deirdre Spekhardt, Cheryl Spekhardt and her fianc?, William C. Nally Jr. and Patrick Spekhardt; his brother, William Spekhardt and his wife, Phyllis; special cousins, Bill and Marge Moyer; brother-in-law, Francis Gray; many, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, so numerous that he counted himself very blessed. We would like to extend our grateful thanks to Dr. Robert Rosenthal, Dr. Alan Jansujwicz, Ed Zimmerman and Sarah Folsom of Northeast Cardiology; Dr. Vincent Mic-haud; Beth, Cindy, Beverly and all the nurses at Bangor Area Visiting Nurses and Hospice, and everyone on Eastern Maine Medical Center’s first and fourth floor CCU’s and CSU’s, for their tireless efforts in keeping Dad with us not only in body, but also in spirit for these past eight months. You are all credits to your professions and beautiful people. Visiting hours will be held 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at St. Mary’s Parish, 754 Ohio St., Bangor, with Fr. Frank Murray, presiding. Due to severe allergies and asthma within the family, flowers cannot be accepted. Dad requested instead, that memorial contributions be sent to the Betty Spekhardt Endowment, care of Mike Crowley, Eastern Maine Medical Center Charities. A reception will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Hall immediately after the committal service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Ohio Street, Bangor.
LT. COL. MICHAEL ‘MIKE’ S. SPEKHARDT
