Michael Henry Gregorich

Michael Henry Gregorich, age 43, beloved son and brother, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, on July 29, 2023, in Solon, Ohio. He is survived by parents Thomas and Lorraine Gregorich of Solon; loving brothers Tom (Dawn) and Dan; young nephew Anthony and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Mike was born in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, the second of three sons and a member of a strong Polish American family. He later followed his family to Valparaiso, Indiana where he developed a love for the theater including a memorable performance in a high school production of The Music Man. He would go on to graduate with a BS degree in English from Ball State University, where he was a National Finalist on the Speech team. This was followed by two years’ coursework taken at the graduate level at Eastern Michigan University before teaching writing in higher education. He would eventually follow his family for one final move to the greater Cleveland area where he worked as a Learning Resource Coordinator at Bryant and Stratton College.
Mike loved the city of Cleveland and developed a strong interest in its history and culture. He was highly knowledgeable about its neighborhoods, museums, music clubs and the best place to buy a niche bottle of barbeque sauce. He would plan long excursions for out-of-town guests that would sample many of the city’s ethnic cuisines and cultures and he felt at home visiting all of them. Mike was well known to shopkeepers and bartenders in the city for his intense interest in, and appreciation for, their work and as members of Cleveland’s cultural fabric.
He was a practicing member of the Catholic church and served as a personal mentor and writing tutor to friends and relatives. A man of diverse tastes, Mike enjoyed the words of Shakespeare and the music of KISS. As an alumnus, he was a proud supporter of the Ball State Cardinals and Eastern Michigan Eagles football programs. He could speak at length regarding the highs and lows of the Ohio State/Michigan football rivalry as well as of the illustrious history of the Detroit Red Wings hockey club, the team he followed from his youth.
Family will visit with friends and relatives on Thursday morning, August 3, from 9:30AM-12:30PM at STEINBAUER FUNERAL HOME, 33375 Bainbridge RD., Solon. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00PM at St. Rita Parish, 32820 Baldwin Rd. in Solon.