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Michael J. Satmary, 81, of Cornfield Point in Old Saybrook died peacefully on March 20 in the arms of his loving wife, Paula M. Satmary. The only child of Michael and Catherine Satmary, he grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island.

He graduated from Bryant University in 1961, where he met Paula. He was later drafted into the Army, serving two years stationed overseas in Germany. Upon settling back home, he soon started his own company, M.J. Satmary Construction Corporation, and provided a personalized building experience for his customers. Over the course of 54 years running his company, he built hundreds of homes in West Warwick and East Greenwich, Rhode Island and eventually moved to his paradise in Cornfield Point, Old Saybrook, for his building “retirement.”

During this retirement over the past 22 years, he lovingly built 43 homes in the Old Saybrook and Westbrook area. He considered his customers his family. He was more than a builder to them all; he was a lifelong friend. He generously gave each homeowner a lifetime warranty, and just prior to his passing he tenderly said, “The lifetime warranty will now expire!”

Mike was an avid enthusiast of all cars, especially classic automobiles. He designed and built from scratch his own classic car, named “The Gatsby.” He spent several years bending and welding metal, connecting pipes, gas, and exhaust lines, and polishing chrome. He brought his Gatsby to many car shows during his retirement and earned a total of 31 trophies. He also restored a classic 1956 T-Bird in remembrance of his wonderful teenage years. He was a great car aficionado and had an impressive depth of knowledge of engines, automobiles, and what’s “inside the walls” of houses. Mike loved to work with his hands and preferred to be wearing his boots working at the job site and in his garage and workshop rather than sitting back in his loafers giving orders.

Mike cherished his two Havanese dogs, Shadow and Piper, who were always by his side. Mike was a huge NASCAR fan and a sports nut, always cheering for the Patriots, UConn women’s basketball, and Red Sox. Mike and Paula spent 15 wonderful winters as snowbirds in their beautiful cottage on the canal in Pine Island, Florida. Always living near the ocean, Mike loved boating with his family and friends and even caught some “personal best” size fish! Mike loved to throw a party and gather his friends and family around him. He had an infectious smile and was always quick to share a witty joke.

Mike was a man of great depth and integrity. He was extremely generous and kind, always helping others, usually with his tools in hand. Friends sought him out for advice and casual chats. Mike would strike up a conversation with anyone and instantly make them feel special and important. But the amazing thing about him was that he truly believed that every person was special and important.

Mike took great pride in his work, his cars and boats, and his family. He was so proud of his three children and eight grandchildren and wanted to teach and impress upon them the importance of doing things for others and taking care of things for yourself and family. While he could have used his backhoe to dig trenches, he didn’t hesitate to pass out shovels to his kids and grandkids and ask them to dig trenches alongside him on the job site. He imparted his work ethic and his knowledge of all things tools, hardware, and engines to his family and friends. He insisted his grandkids would learn to drive a stick!

In addition to his wife Paula, Mike leaves behind his son David and wife Lisa, grandchildren Ashley and Robin of Fort Myers, Florida; his daughter Jennifer and husband Kris, grandchildren Kyle, Emily, and Lauren of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and son Steven and wife Tena, grandchildren Kaylie, Eliah, and Matthew of Mason, Ohio; and his cousin Bob O’Neill of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd., Old Saybrook. Please add your memories of Mike online at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/old-saybrook-ct/michael-satmary-9093079 through Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook. To quote Mike in his final hour, “I had a good run and I love you all dearly.” A celebration of his life will be held sometime in the summer of 2021.