Obituary of Michael P. Yackovetsky

Michael Paul Yackovetsky, born January 1, 1945 in Portland, Oregon. He then lived in Brooklyn, NY where he was raised by his mother with help from her parents in Queens, NY. At age six, his mother relocated them to Maywood, NJ where he attended school. Mike spent many weekends visiting his grandparents in Queens, often helping his grandfather who was superintendent at Queens Villages Apartments. They went on service calls and he learned the basic skills of plumbing, electrical and other building maintenance skills. Mike graduated from Bogota High School in 1962. He was known as the "Russian" and was active in the A.V. club, choir, and the drama club. After graduation he worked at Camp Ocawasin in Butler for the summer. He also worked for a fabric company in Hackensack before joining the U.S. Army in 1963. He graduated from language school in 1964 and was stationed in Turkey. Unable to share some details of his service, he did talk of his assignment to military police duty. Before he was discharged in 1965, he was stationed in Monterey, CA. After leaving the army, he took a train back home where he worked during the construction of the current terminals of Newark International Airport. In 1970, Mike left for a long term rail trip in Europe. He visited Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. He liked to joke about having been to Hell and back after visiting the city in Norway. Upon his return to the U.S. he began working for New Jersey Transit. On a blind date he was introduced to Diane Mickla in January of 1971. He married her ten months later. The two lived in Garfield before buying their first and only home in Rockaway in 1974. Using the knowledge he gained by the side of his grandfather, they fixed up the house to create a home before starting a family. Mike has been a devoted and loving father to Jessica, Stacy and Nikolas ever since. They have many fond memories of him and hope to pass them on to their children some day. He will be remembered for reading bedtime stories in character voices, preparing popcorn on the stove, sharing slides with the family in the dinning room, walks in the woods to the stream, attending all school events, holding on to all cards and handmade crafts and visiting his children after they left NJ. Mike was a proud attendant when his son graduated from the Marine Corps. Recruit Depot, Paris Island, S.C. He was also elated to walk Stacy down the aisle when she married Dean Guite on Cape Cod, MA. Mike was also delighted with the news of Jessica's engagement to Joshua McDonald in Orlando, FL. He welcomed these gentlemen into the family knowing they would take care of his daughters. Always an animal lover, Mike enjoyed caring for his granddogs, Colbie and Dude, when Stacy and Dean or Nik went away. Mike's career with NJ Transit spanned over 35 years. He began in the West End Tower but moved to Hoboken Terminal after 1979. From a very young age he developed an interest in trains. He became member of the Model Engineers Railroad Club of North Jersey during high school. Mike took as many rail trips as he could. Rides ranging from day outings on rare tracks to weekend excursions on specialty cars both solo and with other avid buddies. One special trip included a week on the American Orient Express when his oldest daughter worked abroad. He will be remembered most for his vast knowledge of U. S. and foreign railway systems. His mental catalogue of his book and magazine collection could be compared to a modern day internet search. Mike knew where to find information that he was seeking almost to the page in every book or magazine that he kept over the years. Mike referred to himself as a "jack of all trades and a master of none." Most who knew him would disagree and say he mastered wit, humor and the patience and kindness he displayed to mentor those who stood by his side wanting to learn. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ, www.normandean.com on Tuesday Apr. 26, 2011 at 8:30 AM for a 10:00 AM Liturgy of Christian Mass at St. Simon the Apostle Church in Green Pond, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Monday evening from 7-9 PM. Donations are being accepted to Steamtown 150 S. Washington Ave. Scranton, PA 18503.