Robert Kolanko

Robert John Kolanko was a hard working man who dedicated himself to his family and their happiness. He was driven to provide for them but also to spend time together. Its that determination that now acts as a loving legacy to his wife, children and grandchildren. Roberts story began as the world celebrated the end of WWII and America was beginning to emerge from long years of scarcity. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. Robert John was the only child of Bob and Irene (Homik) Kolanko, born on September 26, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up on the south side of the city near Midway Airport, he enjoyed a rather typical childhood, playing with many neighborhood boys. His father worked in a factory and his mother at Western Electric, but they eventually bought a tavern and dedicated many, many hours in making the business grow. As a result, they didnt always have time to watch over young Bob, and he started running with a rather rough crowd and got into a bit of trouble. His parents made the decision to send him to Williamsburg Military Academy for his middle school years and then to Missouri Military Academy for high school. Fortunately, Bob liked it at the academy and did well, playing baseball and football during his high school career. By the time he graduated, his parents had moved to Grand Haven, Michigan and Bob joined them there. It was a good move for Bob because he soon met a young woman named Mary Midkiff. After dating for a time, the two married in 1965 and became parents in 1966 when Robert Scott was born. Bob supported his young family by working at Bastion-Blessing, starting out as a sheet metal journeyman. In the early years, he also traveled to install some of the equipment made at the plant. The job fit Bob well, and he was valued as a dedicated employee for his many years of service to the company. With his marriage to Mary ending in the early 1970s, Bob maintained his friendships and activities, especially at the Starlight Lanes in Grand Haven. There he met one of the part time bar tenders who turned out to be a pretty good bowler. Cynthia Wolovlek ended up winning the first game they played, a sign of many such victories to come. On May 12, 1973. Bob and Cynthia Lea married and settled into a house on Washington Avenue in Grand Haven, which was the home of Cynthias grandma. In time, they purchased the property and raised their two children there, Tim born in 1975 and Jessica in 1978. Otherwise a workaholic, Bob stopped traveling when the children were young and worked in the shop. He made time for his kids, attending their school and sporting events and taking the family on a memorable trip to Disney World. From his early days, Bob liked to play softball and hunt. He continued to bowl with Cynthia in a mixed couples league, even though she maintained the better average. The two of them liked fishing together, as well, and had their own boat that they especially liked taking to Hamlin Lake near Ludington or to other inland lakes in the area. Bob was a sports fan of University of Michigan and Detroit Lions football. In addition, he kept a garden that produced wonderful vegetables throughout the summer. He liked playing around with his buddy Aggie, a small poodle-mix lap dog, but mostly Bob enjoyed being a grandpa. He was thrilled at the births of each grandchild, and he and Cynthia often babysat for them. He just loved having them around. Bob worked for Bastion-Blessing for over 23 years where he was the Shop Supervisor and the union treasurer. When the plant closed he worked at several other shops before settling at Sintel, Inc. Then in May of 2010, Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer and fought the disease with chemotherapy. Though the treatments were really tough on him, he kept working until his health worsened and Bob had to retire. The disease and other health-related issues took their toll on his body, and he lost a lot of weight. Cynthia tenderly cared for Bob at home until it became necessary for him to receive the care of Hospice. He died peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, March 4, 2012. Mr. Robert J. Kolanko, age 65 of Grand Haven, Michigan, will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, which includes his wife, Cynthia; sons, Robert (Emily Schiller) Kolanko of Grand Haven, Tim (Heidi) Kolanko of CA; daughter, Jessica (Neil) Dwyer of Grand Haven; grandchildren, Ryan Kolanko, Nolan Dwyer, Taryn Dwyer; mother, Irene; several aunts, uncles, nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 12:00 Noon with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel-Grand Haven and Rev. John Carpenter officiating. Interment at Robinson Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Ottawa. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.