Obituary: Michael Pozgay

Michael Pozgay, 96, passed away Jan. 20, 2014 in Prescott, Ariz. He was born Aug. 29, 1917, in Chicago, Ill., to Michael and Magdalene Pozgay.

He graduated from Ripon College and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a band teacher, and later had a successful career as a sales representative in the music business. In 1952, he moved his family to Denver, where his children were raised. He later lived in Albuquerque, N.M., Tucson, Ariz., and Laguna Niguel, Calif.

He retired to Prescott, where he continued to be active in music, teaching band in a middle school until the age of 89.

In Prescott, he was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Michael had a great love of sports, played golf, and was an avid fan of University of Arizona football and basketball teams, the Diamondbacks, and the Denver Broncos.

Michael was preceded in death by his first wife Ethelyn Pozgay; his second wife Betty Taylor Pozgay; his sister Eleanor Spolarich; his brother Steve Pozgay; his stepdaughter Vicki Oliver; his step-grandson Michael; and his nephews Gary Pozgay and Steve Spolarich.

He is survived by his children Terry Pozgay Vlasin (husband Ron), Jon Pozgay, Lucy Pozgay Middleton (husband Michael) and Carl Taylor (wife Holly). He is also survived by grandchildren Brian Thomas, Abby Thomas, Whitney Pozgay, Reese Pozgay, Scott Middleton, Kelly Middleton Amadeo, Jason Oliver, Dana Taylor, Natalia Taylor Bowdoin, Robert Wyand and Abigail Wyand. Surviving great-grandchildren are Marisa Thomas, Brody Amadeo, Evie Amadeo, Archer Middleton, Sophia Taylor, Dante Taylor, Damaris Wyand, Robert Wyand, Mei Joy Wyand, Ransom Wyand, Kaden Oliver and Caroline Oliver. Surviving him also are his niece Jeanne Pozgay Tully; and his nephews Rome Pozgay, Jeff Pozgay, Tom Spolarich and Philip Spolarich.

Funeral services were entrusted to Wakelin Family Funeral Homes. Please visit www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view and sign Michael's guestbook.

Information provided by survivors.