Michael Prusky passed on Tuesday June 10th, 2025, at the age of 78 at PeaceHealth St Johns in Longview Washington surrounded by his family.

Mike was born October 22nd, 1946, in West Ghent, NY to John and Esther Prusky. Mike was the 7th of 15 children. At the age of 3, he was placed in foster care, and he graduated from Berne-Knox High School in Berne, NY in 1964. After graduation, Mike worked for General Electric Company as a welder apprentice until enlisting in the US Army in 1965. He became a paramedic with the 173rd Airborne, serving in South Vietnam for 2 years. He spent one year on the ground in charge of all medics in H.H. Company, 3rd Battalion 503rd Infantry 173rd Airborne. In his second tour in Vietnam, he was with the 254th Medical Evacuation Unit and 173rd Airborne flying Medivac Helicopter making an estimated fifty-three parachute jumps. Mike was honorably discharged from the Army in 1968 having earned numerous medals and campaign ribbons connected to his selfless service in Vietnam.

After his discharge, Mike moved to San Bernadino with his brother, Raymon, and then on to the Longview-Kelso area of Washington. It was there he met and married his first wife Jackie Lynn Down. Then, in 1989 he married his current wife, Carolyn.

Mike worked in the trades industry for 35 years building cabinets, doors, and windows until 2002 when a job-related injury forced his retirement. In Spring of 2004, he was reunited sister, Shauna of Warwick, Rhode Island after 53 years thanks to a special nephew, Aarrone, who located Mike as part of a school assignment.

Mike was a member of First Baptist Church in Longview, Washington and loved cooking, baking, and making candy for whoever wanted some. He was active in multiple church activities and enjoyed helping wherever he could. He dedicated his life to helping others, both in the Army and afterward. Mike enjoyed canning and he loved M&M’s. His collection of memorabilia and trinkets was second to none. He also enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Kelso and children Michael Prusky of Hawaii, Donna Hibberd of Longview, James Phelps of Longview, Lorri Cheek of Westport, Oregon, and John Phelps of Kelso. He is survived by 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by siblings Francis, Gail, Dorothy, Lillian, Jacob, Sharon, Louis, and Shauna. Additionally, he leaves behind special friends Joanne Stone (husband Floyd who married he and Carolyn predeceased him in 2011) of Castle Rock and Jack and Judy Wendell of Longview.

He was predeceased by his father, John; mother, Esther; and brothers, Anthony, Earl, Raymon, and Kevin.  

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to Longview First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund.

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