Michael P. Fodroci

Michael Paul Fodroci, of South Bend, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Memorial Hospital of South Bend. He was loved dearly by his family and friends. Michael was born on May 22, 1924, to Joseph and Teresa (Csakany) Fodroci in St. Joseph County. They preceded him in death. 

He graduated as Salutatorian from Washington High School and subsequently joined the 8th Army Air Corps during World War II, where he flew 34 missions in the European theater, serving as both a navigator and a bombardier as part of the 91st Bomb Group 401st Squadron.  After the war he enrolled at Purdue University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and then went on to earn a master’s degree, also in Mechanical Engineering.  He was also subsequently certified as a Professional Engineer by the state of Indiana. Then on June 24, 1950, he married the love of his life, Pauline Jane Orisich, who preceded him in death on October 16, 2004. They settled in South Bend and started their family of three children. He is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Lynn Fodroci, of Westfield, IN; two sons, Michael Fodroci of Columbus, IN, and David Fodroci of South Bend, IN; a daughter-in-law, Ashley Fodroci of Columbus, IN, three grandsons, Aaron Fodroci of Goshen, IN, Michael Paul Fodroci III, of Columbus, IN; James Monahan of New York, New York; and a sister, Mary Perkins.

Michael dearly loved his wife, and they spent many an enjoyable hour together dancing, golfing, bowling, playing bridge, and entertaining. They loved their life together, and they enjoyed it to the fullest. 

Michael was a devout and faithful member of the St. Jude parish for over sixty years, where he served as an usher, a counter, a Bingo worker, and for 15 years as the church Treasurer.  He also served on the St. Jude School Board as Chairman. 

Michael was always ready to volunteer his time, whether to help a friend, a relative, or his community.  He served for 15 years as a volunteer tax preparator at the St. Joseph County Library, where he would quite typically meet and then provide individual help and private care to needy citizens, often for years. 

Michael was a brilliant engineer, who worked for several years at the South Bend Studebaker Corporation, and then went on to work for the South Bend Bendix Corporation, where he served as a Senior Project Engineer, retiring after 34 years, where he was co-author of four fuel control patents. 

His family would like to thank the entire staff at Southfield Village for their loving and professional care for the past six years. We are also grateful to the wonderful caregivers at Senior One Care and Visiting Angels, and to the Heart to Heart Hospice Services and Memorial Hospital staff for the care that they provided for him. 

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 7 from 4-8pm at Zahoran Funeral Home at 1826 Kemble Ave, South Bend, IN 46613.  Viewing will also take place from 12pm until service in St. Jude Church.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude Church, 19704 Johnson Rd, South Bend, IN 46614 on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 1:00pm.  Interment to follow at the South Bend Highland Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Church or the Lupus Foundation of America.  To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.zahoran.com or our Facebook page Zahoran Funeral Home

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