Obituary of Michael R. Koske

South Hadley - Michael “Mike” Koske, age 82, of 29 Hadley St, died on December 24, 2021, during the early morning of Christmas Eve in the Renaissance Manor in Holyoke. Mike was the son of Michael T and Doris Koske. Mike married the love of his life, Janet “Penny” Koske, who predeceased him in 2011 after 53 years of happy marriage. After graduating from South Hadley High School in 1957, Mike entered the US Army. After leaving the Army and resettling in South Hadley, Mike worked for Texon in Holyoke, was the superintendent of the Evergreen Cemetery, and spent 37 years on the South Hadley District 2 Fire Department, retiring as the Chief of the department in 2004. Mike also owned his own handy-man business and was known for his jack-of-all-trades abilities. Mike was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed music, including playing guitar and singing with his family, and loved to attend the various ballgames of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides his beloved wife and parents, Mike was also predeceased by his son David M, who died this past summer, and his four brothers, Robert, James, John, and Alan. Mike is survived, and will be deeply missed by his daughters Deborah Baldini and her husband Kevin of North Port, FL, Jeri Lynn Koske of South Hadley, and Sandra LaCaresse and her husband Robert also of South Hadley, along with his grandchildren Alan M. Gardner, Sara Gardner, Lindsey LaBelle, Brian LeHenry, Kyla, Stephanie, and Tyler Koske, and his many great-grandchildren. The services will be private, family only, but a celebration of Mike’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Hadley Senior Center and/or the Evergreen Cemetery Association. Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home entrusted with Michael's arrangements.