Caddieing Played Big Role In Alum's Life - Remembering Michael Zepernick
Michael E. Zepernick, age 50 of Wayne, died on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 after a courageous battle with ALS. He set a brave example that his children, wife, family and friends will not soon forget.
Mike grew up in Middletown, NJ and graduated from Middletown High School South with the class of 1981. He was an outstanding athlete in high school, but academics didn’t appeal to him and he was certainly not a good student by any standard. His first job was as a caddie at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown and this job turned his attitude around. He realized then that his future was truly in his own hands – and life would be whatever he wanted to make of it. He was inspired by the lifestyles of the country club members and knew early on that he wanted to be like those successful people. He befriended many of the members, always asking their advice on success. Each person he asked told him the same thing; get an education. He worked his way through community college, paying his own way on caddie wages and tips (mostly tips). He won the caddie scholarship from Navesink and acceptance to Trenton State College. He excelled academically, graduating with a degree in accounting. When he took his first job with E.F. Hutton, he realized right then that his future had truly turned for the better and it was all because of his hard work and tenacity. Mike later joined CMI, a computer service company in Manhattan where he worked in sales. He quickly became their top salesman and within a matter of a few years, he was president of the company. Always looking to do better, he eventually founded his own computer services company with two of his closest colleagues; Computer Integrated Service Company of New York, or “CIS” as they called it. He loved a challenge, enjoyed hard work, and was happy to have made his professional dreams come true.
Mike met his wife Joanne (nee Lyons) when they both worked at CMI in Manhattan. Fate certainly played a role in their meeting, as Joanne had no real interest in computer sales, but CMI just happened to be hiring at the time and she was encouraged by her headhunter to take the job. Their relationship was truly professional at first and, even on their first date, Joanne wasn’t that excited to go out with Mike. But romance blossomed and they were married on May 22, 1993 at Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne. They enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon in Cancun and continued to travel throughout their marriage. They visited the south of France, Rome, all over the US, skiing in Vail and Beaver Creek as well as Vermont, and all over the Caribbean. Although they both wish that they could have shared many more years together, they made the best of the twenty years they had.
Mike’s children, Julia and Michael, were his pride and joy. He made every effort to be there for them; coaching, teaching them to fish, swimming and especially playing basketball. He loved basketball and he made good use of the hoop in their driveway. He liked taking Julia down to Packanack Lake to go fishing and he taught Michael to golf and play baseball. He was a fun dad, without a doubt. Although they will miss him dearly, Julia and Michael have a trove of fond memories, great family vacations, and lots of laughs to cherish for their lifetimes.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Joanne (nee Lyons), his daughter Julia and son Michael, his mother; Dorothy Zepernick of Middletown, his sister; Theresa Shirley and her husband Alan of Ocean Port, NJ, brother-in-law; Ray Lyons and his wife Anita of Wayne, mother-in-law; Joan Lyons of Wayne, father-in-law; Ray Lyons of FL, niece; Lauren Shirley of Ocean Port, NJ and nephews; Kevin and Eric Lyons of Wayne, as well as many, many dear and loving friends.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 4-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Donations in Mike’s memory would be greatly appreciated. During Mike’s illness, the ALS Association of Greater NY provided much needed assistance and equipment to Mike and Joanne as their lives were turned upside down by this illness. Joanne is incredibly grateful for all things the ALS Association helped her with. Your donations would mean a great deal to other families going through the same thing. Please consider the ALS Association of Greater NY, 42 Broadway, Suite 1724, New York, NY 10004 or visit: www.als-ny.org.
(via http://www.vandermay.com/Obituaries.aspx?from=obtDet&obituaryid=4424)
