Michael Contino Nowacki of North Caldwell, N.J., died on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Mike was 20 years old. He was born in Glen Ridge, N.J., on May 11, 1990, and lived in North Caldwell his entire life.
He attended Verona High School, Summit Preparatory School in Kalispell, Mont., and Montclair State University. He had been a cook at Crane’s Mill, an assisted living facility, in West Caldwell, N.J.
Mike is survived by his devoted parents, Andrea Contino Rayford, with her husband, Jessie James Rayford, of North Caldwell, and Gary Michael Nowacki with his wife, Liz Kenyon, of Verona, N.J.; a loving sister, Emily Contino Nowacki of Fort Collins, Colo.; cherished grandparents, Shirley and Peter Phillips, Robert and Betsy Contino, and Emma and Larry Nowacki; kind friends, Ian, Payton and Misiek; his beautiful bird, Minew, and dear co-workers and residents from Crane’s Mill.
Mike will be remembered for his creativity, generosity, wit, beauty, and love of animals. He will forever be in the hearts of the people who were blessed to have known him. Services were private in the care of the Dancy Funeral Home, Caldwell. Mike’s family and friends would like to thank the family, friends, co-workers, and residents who attended Mike’s wake and funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s name given to the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, or to the Ferry Beach Park Association would be deeply appreciated by Mike’s family and friends. We will never forget you, we will never forsake you.
