Alex Shmigelsky

Alex Shmigelsky was born in Ukraine on March 27, 1926.He lived in Ukraine for 16 years until the Nazis came and took him and his mother to Germany to work the farms in 1942 since the German men were all off to war. They left his sister and brother behind because they were too young.\He stayed in Germany for eight years, always with the intention to move on to the United States.He made it to the United States in 1950, almost going back to Germany because as he said "English was the most difficult language of all." He met Mr. Marshall, a baker from Germany, who told him to stay, the United States if the best country in the world.Alex worked for Mr. Marshall and learned how to make cake flowers. Meanwhile he wanted to work in construction; he loved working outdoors. His first job in construction involved making scaffolds. He really wanted to be a bricklayer, but his boss was happy with his work and would not consider it. Alex was persistent, and finally he was allowed to try, and was an excellent bricklayer for 30 years.Alex met Angeline Rogus in Chicago in 1953. They married on October 3, 1954 and had three children; Karen, Bruce and Brian. Eventually they had four grandchildren; Sara, Lorelei, Jessica and Joe.Alex and Angeline moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1992, and greatly enjoyed their retirement in Arizona for 10 years until Angeline passed away. Alex moved into Freedom Plaza three years later and greatly enjoyed his time there, making many close friends. He also really enjoyed living in Arizona.A funeral Mass was held at St Clement of Rome Catholic Church on Saturday, March 25, 2017.