Following is the obituary for MICHAEL J. HOHERCHAK, submitted for his family by the Harding Funeral Home.

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Michael J. Hoherchak, a resident of Westport for the past 68 years, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the age of 94. 

Mike is survived by the love of his life, his wife Gay. They have enjoyed almost 69 years of marriage, providing an enviable example for their children. He is also survived by his son, Michael (wife Monica); daughter Karin (husband David), and five loving grandchildren, Sasha, Natasha, Michael, Klara and Justin.   He was predeceased by his parents Mike and Mary, and sister Mary-Ellen.  

Mike was an active member of St. Luke parish, the Masons and the Ancient Order of the Scottish Rite.

Mike was known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends. He was selfless beyond measure, always thinking about how he could be helpful, whether via direct assistance or sage advice.  Always the charmer, he was happy to talk to anyone — Mike connected with so many, wherever he went.  

His love, devotion and faith in his wife Gay were beautiful and inspiring to see. As was his love and complete embrace of his kids, daughter and son-in-law, and his grandchildren.

He never stopped thinking about them, inquiring, offering advice and doing the little things to make them feel loved, that we will all remember. He listened to our endless stories with his full attention, eager for every word and occasionally sharing nuggets from his past.   

Born in 1930, Mike grew up during the depths of the great depression in Brooklyn, always eager to find a way to make a buck. 

Mike worked a wide variety of jobs, from an early age, selling newspapers, being a messenger, helping in a meat market, an engineering aide, TV installer, clerk and surveyor. He was always busy. 

Professionally, he began as a mechanical engineer at AMF and grew into highly effective project manager who managed numerous projects in the pollution control industry, most recently for ABB. He made our air cleaner and employed skillful negotiating to bring projects in under budget.

Mike was the son of an immigrant, and the first to go to college. He graduated from Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn. He attended Pratt and received engineering degrees from the University of Virginia and NYU. 

He has been lucky to maintain lifelong friendships from those early days.

Mike also had deep connections to Virginia, spending most summers with grandparents and cousins on a family farm in the Fredericksburg area. Well-loved and working hard, he enjoyed the open space, freedom and openness of being on the land. He remained connected to those cousins and his early days there.

A wake will be held on Sunday, April 6, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East. Funeral Mass will be at St. Luke Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North at noon Monday, April 7, with reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association in Mike’s honor.

Mike will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will forever be cherished in our hearts.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to the caring doctors, nurses and staff at Norwalk Hospital.

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Westport Journal publishes obituaries of people who lived in Westport or have life connections to the community. To submit an obituary, send the notice and a high-resolution photo to press@westportjournal.com. There is no charge.