Michael Waskiewicz ... enjoyed crafting homemade furniture; at 87

ROCHESTER -- Michael D. Waskiewicz, 87, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, following a period of declining health.

Born on October 21, 1937, in Ashburnham, Mass., Mike was the son of the late Michael S. and Georgianna T. (Vachowski) Waskiewicz. He attended Ashburnham grammar schools and spent two years at Cushing Academy Prep School before moving to Baldwinville, Mass. He graduated from Templeton High School in 1955.

After school, Mike completed a four-year apprenticeship program at Union Twist Drill in Athol, Mass., where he accepted a position as a tool designer. During this time he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Baldwinville Fire Department. Two years later, Mike moved to Greenfield, Mass., and spent the next five years working for Threadwell Tap & Die in tool design.

Relocating to New Hampshire in 1967, Mike began working for Jarvis Cutting Tools in Rochester. As Chief Engineer, he traveled across the country to help clients optimize their tooling and processes. He also worked for a time at Lamper & Son Hardware, Tri-Us Metal, Wilson's Getty, and as an independent carpenter. Winter storms would find him plowing snow across Rochester for his 85 customers. Mike's final career stop was as a Specialty Precision Machinist at Spaulding Fiber Co. in Rochester, where he retired after 22 years. He especially enjoyed the challenges of fabricating custom precision pieces for special projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

Michael was a 53-year member and Life Member of Rochester Elks #1393, where he was a dedicated supporter of the Jerry Lewis Telethon and was once honored as Elk of the Year. He was also a member of Club Victoire.

Woodworking and building custom furniture for his family were some of Mike's favorite hobbies. He loved to cook hearty lumberjack breakfasts at camp and enjoyed fishing with flies that he tied himself. Creative, resourceful, and innovative, Mike was the ultimate inventor and a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Patricia R. (Merriam) Waskiewicz of Rochester, N.H.; daughter, Deborah Seavey, and her husband, Edward, of Rochester, N.H.; son, Donald Waskiewicz, of Elko, Nev.; daughter, Doris Gagne, and her husband, Larry, of Rochester, N.H.; son, Dennis Waskiewicz, of Berwick, Maine; brother, John Wake, of West Chester, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Katharine, Kristen, Ted, and Michael Seavey, Matt and Tyler Gagne, Andrew Waskiewicz and Allison (Waskiewicz) Gagne, and Michael Wolff; 10 great-grandchildren, Marley, Bode, and Finn Gagne, Caleb and Madeline Gagne, Liam Hough, Elizabeth Seavey, and Dane, Kiera, and Owen Wolff; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Ann Lepkowski, of Gardner, Mass., and grandson, Christopher Seavey, of Rochester, N.H.