Michael Timura

Michael Timura, 94 of Farmington and Old Lyme, CT and Vero Beach, FL passed away on March 3, 2019.  He was born in Portage, PA on November 2, 1924 to the late Michael, Sr. and Elizabeth (Ranochak) Timura.  His parents moved to New Britain, CT during his senior year in high school.  Mike served honorably in the Army Air Corp during WW II and was a proud and participatory veteran throughout his entire life.  In 1946, he met his future wife, Florence Sutula, who was working at Guida’s Dairy and Ice Cream Bar in New Britain.  It was his love of hot fudge sundaes and the attraction to the beautiful woman making and serving them to him that he asked her out and courted her for two years.  They were married on May 29, 1948 and had a very wonderful, fulfilling and rewarding life together with family and friends for 66 years, until unfortunately, Florence passed away on August 31, 2014.  

Florence was a very caring, fun-loving and sociable person.  She was an excellent cook and thoroughly took pleasure in preparing meals and entertaining, especially for her family and friends.  You could not pull her away from the kitchen.  Having a high regard for the medical profession, it prompted Florence to offer her body to science.  She was an Anatomical Donor for the UConn School of Medicine.  Afterwards, she was cremated and returned to the family in May 2015.  She has been truly missed by her family and friends.

The Timura family have enjoyed the times at the year-round second home that Mike built in 1952 at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme.  In their later years, Mike took Florence to Vero Beach, so she could escape the harsh cold New England winters.  They raised four sons, Wayne (Jacqueline); Gary (Linda) and Brian, MD and Michael III, Ph.D. predeceased in April 2014.  Mike and Florence also leaves five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, including 4-month old, Caden, who will carry on the Timura family name.  They were also predeceased by his older brother, John, killed-in-action during WW II and his younger brother, Paul and his wife, Barbara.  

In 1952, Mike started working for the Frank E. Downes Construction Company in New Britain.  Throughout his career Mike has focused his attention on helping contractors gain recognition and respect as a group, and he was a constant believer in trying to build and promote a better workplace.  His mantra was firm, but fair.  In 2003, Mike retired as Chairman of the Downes organization.

Mike served on many associations and organizations through his many volunteer leadership posts and accomplishments, both at the state and national level.  Mike’s achievements and awards have been truly impressive.  In 1985, he was elected President of the CT Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).  Mike sought to be the “eyes and ears” of the industry for his constituents and was subsequently elected a Director of National AGC in Washington, D.C.  

Additionally, Mike did not neglect his community or civic responsibilities.  He constantly volunteered his time and energy towards a variety of causes.  To mention a few, was a Director of the New Britain Boys and Girls Club for 45 years; Director of the New Britain YMCA; and Trustee Emeritus at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

He was very generous to his family and philanthropic to many organizations, especially to the Boys and Girls Club and Hospital for Special Care (HSC).  Mike is the largest single donor to HSC, and with those funds, he established eight student scholarships, consisting of a medical school, nursing, physical therapy and certified nursing assistant scholarships in memory of Florence, along with four separate student nursing scholarships in memory of his Gold Star mother; his late brother John; his late father-in-law and his deceased son Michael.  All scholarships are administered and awarded annually by HSC.

Mike’s huge presence, wisdom and advice will truly be missed.  We will keep the flag flying forever in his honor and memory.  

Mike will be buried with military honors, along with Florence’s ashes on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.  The Serenko-Claar Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. 

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