Michael Anthony Kontura remarkable and devoted spouse to Sandy (Dunyan). Zealous father to Adam, Michael Jr. & Nick. Loving son to Ron and Carol. Caring brother to Bobby (Sue) & Ron Jr (Erin). Awesome Brother in law, uncle and friend to so many.
Michael Anthony Kontura, age 57 was taken from us much, much too soon. On Sept. 4 th after playing Xbox until the wee hours of the morning, he went to sleep and never woke up. If you did not get a chance to know this dynamic, compassionate person – you truly missed out. Michael was born and raised in Garfield Hts. He went to Padua High School back before "they let girls in". He joined the swim team. He still holds the record for the JV breast stroke. Michael went to Cleveland State University where he met someone who could only be called the love of his life. He loved his college sweetheart, Sandy with every fiber of his being. October would have been their 33 rd anniversary. Michael's professional career started at Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services. His dedication to the children of various unfortunate situations was born out of a superior sense of compassion and need to help. In 1992 he moved to the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He was a pioneer of the program which worked with the court system to understand and work with developmentally disabled offenders. Michael was extremely passionate about his chosen career. He would go to various counties and cities and lecture around the Midwest on how the officers, courts and others involved might gain a better understanding of this population. Mike was very passionate about his job. He wanted to help people. He struggled with tolerating the bureaucracy that goes along with this and would be the first to share that. He was truly there to help others and hated that the paperwork got in his way. His involvement as Forensic Liaison for the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County gave him the opportunity to help so many individuals and families. He was an inspiration. Michael was so much more than just a social worker. Work was important to him but it was not his entire world. Michael and Sandy have three boys – Adam (30), Michael (28) and Nick (26). His love of family was everything. In his role as a father it can truly be said Mike handed down his dedication, love, compassion, determination and so many other wonderful characteristics to his boys. The Kontura boys have grown up to become thoughtful, caring, intelligent loving men. Michael should be and was proud of his boys. Michael was what one might call a social butterfly. He loved people. He was a loyal friend. If you needed help – anytime – two in the morning – or six at night – he was there. He was a 'call me anytime' person. He was a 'I've got your back' person. He was a 'you're like a brother/sister to me' person. If Mike told you he'd help you move a couch or put up a swing set – he always showed up. And he was happy to do it. He had so many people who he considered much more than friends – he considered you family. Michael was a talented softball player. Softball was his choice sport for so many years. He played golf, hockey, racquetball, ping pong, cornhole and pickleball and any other sport that would cross his path. He was a talented, competitive athlete. And while all sports were of interest to him – no sport ever compared to his Bocce. Mike would tell you that he played "Professional" bocce. This is not backyard bocce. This is "get out of the way Mike is about to shoot" bocce. This is "keep your own stats so you know how well you did" bocce. Mike wasn't merely good at this. He was excellent. His talent and strategies used in every game he ever played was something to be witnessed. Since moving to Florida, Mike would return – sometimes twice a month, to Ohio for a bocce tournament. The 17 hour drive each way was something Mike looked forward to making. He was always worried when a tournament would be approaching and he 'didn't have a team yet.' He was such an awesome player anyone would benefit from having him on their team. Michael kept stats. At any given game he would tell you his success percentage. Mike did not cheat or exaggerate – ever. If you could not win the game with talent and skill you did not deserve the title. Mike came up to Ohio in September for 'the biggest tournament of his life.' The elation and excitement when his team took first place was electric. In May of 2019 Michael retired from CCBDD and moved to Florida. Living in Florida has always been a dream of Mike's. He moved into a beautiful home in a wonderful development. While leaving so many friends and family in Ohio was difficult, Mike definitely made the right choice in this decision. He loved Florida. Anyone who knew Mike would be drawn to him and his enthusiasm for life. Mike's love of a good meal, great vacation destination, fun music, love of a good story, outdoor activities, and life in all sense of the word was just so vibrant. Everyone who knew Mike, without exception has a Mike story. He was so colorful and full of life. His laughter was contagious. His friendliness with everyone one —from the kid bagging the groceries to the gecko living on the lanai was just so very special. Mike never met a person he could not talk with. People loved Mike for his loyalty, honesty and absolute innocence. With Michael Anthony Kontura, "what you see was what you get". Having known and loved Michael Anthony Kontura is worth more than anything else I can imagine. To say he will be missed is an understatement of colossal magnitude.
We will be saying our farewell to him by having a Mass on Wednesday, September 16 th at 10:30am St. Martin of Tours 14600 Turney Road Maple Heights, OH. Some call it a 'Wake' others call it a 'Celebration of Life' I choose to think of it as the 'Friends and Family Freakout' over Mike's much too short time with us. Whatever you'd like to call it, the family of Michael Kontura will be available to receive people at the VFW Pavilion from 1-7pm 8584 Olde Eight Road Northfield Center, OH. It is our sincere wish that you come by to share your thoughts and stories. It is a CASUAL atmosphere. Mike never would require suit and tie. Bring a cooler or snack – as you like. It's a picnic setting. We are hoping to maintain social distancing and observe the standard practices put forth during the crisis.