Michael John Marciniak, 70, a lifelong resident of Cloquet, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was born Jan. 15, 1937, in Cloquet to Michael T. and Eleanore (Dressler) Marciniak. Mike graduated from Cloquet High School in 1956 and while attending high school he starred on the school's cross country ski, track and football teams. After high school he attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1957 and 1958, where he won a pair of MIAC titles. During the 1958 season, he was named to the F.I.S. training squad. In 1959 he skied in the North American Championships. He was chosen as an alternate for the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley, Calif. On Sept. 30, 1961, Mike married Kathleen (Faye) Blair. In 1964 he started his true passion, coaching the Cloquet's cross country teams. During an 11-year period from 1965 to 1976 his cross country teams played a major role in 11 state titles won by Cloquet. He also had a major influence on cross country skiing in the Central Division of the USSA, coaching the junior national and junior Olympic teams from 1965 to 1993. During his tenure as the junior coach, he received three Central Division Presidential awards for excellence. In 1986 he was inducted into the Ski Coaches Hall of Fame. Starting in the early 1990s, Mike served on Cloquet's Park Board until early this year. He was also a member of the Kiwanis, Jaycees and the Cloquet Ski Club. He served in the Air National Guard. He was employed at Minnesota Power from 1962 until his retirement in 1995. Mike's passions extended beyond his coaching; his love for the outdoors and family would play a major role in his life. Sports author Ross Bernstein wrote in his book "Legends & Legacies: Celebrating a Century of Minnesota Coaches," "A Nordic legend, Mike Marciniak is among the best of the best, and someone who truly gave back to the sport he loved."
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Michael, and mother, Eleanore.
He is survived by his wife, Faye; sons, Kevin (Beth) of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Todd (Beth) of Ham Lake, Minn., and Patrick (Kimberly) of Cloquet; grandchildren, Kirsten, Amber, Arianna, Maxwell and Samuel Marciniak; brothers, James (Shirley) of West Lafayette, Ind., and Tommy (Mary) of Cloquet; sisters, Kathlyn Marciniak of Cloquet and Judy (Bill) Flynn of Duluth.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet with a wake service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation continued Monday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral Mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Interment services were at New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet. A time of fellowship and luncheon followed at the church social hall.
The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care, 1004 Cloquet Avenue, Cloquet, 218-879-3225, to assist them with arrangements. See their online guest book at www.legacy.com .
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August 22, 2007
- Cloquet, Minn.
