Bernard "Bernie" Bajko

Bernard ”Bernie” Bajko 80 of Boyne City passed away Monday, November 12, 2018 at University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI with his family at his side.

Bernie was born on May 5, 1938 to Edward Adolph and Eleanor (Misiewicz) Bajko in Grand Rapids, MI.

Bernie grew up and attended school in Grand Rapids.  In his early teens he went to work for his Uncle Erv Finkler doing poured walls using home made forms when poured walls was in its infancy.

At 17 he enlisted in the United States Marines.  It was there he discovered he was a born natural with a rifle.  He was so good that they made him a rifle instructor at Parris Island, S.C. and was awarded a sharp shooter medal.

Returning home after serving in the marines, it was there where, on a blind date he met his future wife, the love of his life Mary Ann Wolf.  They were married on October 29, 1960 and she survives.  They have three children.

Factory work was not for Bernie, and after working at a few various jobs, Bernie decided to strike out on his own with his life long friend Ted Traviss in Grand Rapids.  Back then it was Bernard P. Bajko, Cement Contractor.  They were doing small projects such as driveways, sidewalks, residential flatwork and footings for wall contractors.  He had a license from the City of Grand Rapids to do city sidewalk.

In 1967 Bernie decided to take a leap forward, purchased a set of concrete wall panels and bought a boom truck.  Back in the 60’s having a boom truck to set panels into a hole was hi-tech.

In 1968 with the help of a friend in the redi-mix industry, Bernie formed a Michigan Corporation, Bayko Concrete Service, Inc.

Work took Bernie north when a few residential contractors he worked for in Grand Rapids asked if he would travel.  In 1968, he moved his family to Rodney (Big Rapids), Michigan.  It was there that he met his long time friend Keith Schuberg.  They were inseparable. 

Bernie was doing a lot of work in Traverse City, Boyne City, Gaylord areas in the early 1970’s and after living out of a suitcase for 2 years, he decided to move his family north to Boyne City, building a new home there.

Still continuing to run the company, in the 1980’s Bernie was doing a lot of high wall construction and hoping someone would provide concrete pumping services.  At the time, we believe the closest concrete boom pump was in Grand Rapids.  In 1988 he purchased a used concrete boom pump.  We believe the first boom pump to Northern Michigan.  As small and outdated the pump is, it’s still a working pump today.

Still having ties to Rodney and his good friend Keith, in 1976 he purchased an 80 acre parcel there.  In that same year he purchased a cabin in Horton Bay that was going to be removed for development, disassembled it and took it to Rodney as a hunting cabin.  The family still enjoys the hunting camp today.  Rodney is sacred ground.

In 1991 he was diagnosed with liver disease.  He was placed on the organ donor list and on October 15, 1991 received a new liver at University of Michigan Hospital.  The transplant was so successful that he was released 11 days later and drove home from Ann Arbor.  After the transplant, he would promote organ donation wherever he could.  He always stayed busy doing something.  He could never sit still.

At the time of his passing, he was one of the longest surviving liver recipients at the University of Michigan Hospital.

Bernie was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6314 for 42 years.

Bernie was very proud of his Polish Heritage and always enjoyed going to the Boyne Falls Polish Festival.

In his past time, Bernie enjoyed hunting, playing cards, traveling, and going to Rodney.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary Ann, sons, Mike (Diane) of Boyne City, Tom of Indian River, and Dan from Gaylord, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Ronald Thomas, his dear friends Ted Traviss, Walt Folkerstma and Keith Schuberg.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Munson Medical Center, Dr. Kirt Sanford, Dr. Debra Oach (Christmas 1990), all the staff members at the University of Michigan transplant center (October 1991), and most recently Grandvue Medical Center and McLaren Peoskey for the wonderful care of Bernie and for giving us 27 years with him we would never have had.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Grandvue Medical Care Facility or Gift of Life.

Please be an Organ Donor, Save a Life.

In honor of Bernie No Ties.

A visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, November 16th at St. Matthews Church in Boyne City with the Rosary being recited at 7:30 PM.

Mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, November 17th at the church with a visitation being held from 10:00 AM until the time of service.

Family and friends wishing to share a thought or memory of Bernie are encouraged to do so online at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.

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