Michael Joseph Waris

Michael Joseph Waris , 78, passed away unexpectedly on October 13, 2022, in Copley, Ohio.

He was born on January 13, 1944, in St. Joseph, MO to Victoria and Louis Waris.
He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph MO, and attended what is now Missouri Western Jr. College majoring in accounting. As a young man he served in the reserves, cooking for his unit and running the mess hall.
Mike was famous for his jokes and storytelling which frequently included the likes of sport conquests and the wild situations he found himself in throughout his life. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies and working out daily, but not solely for the health benefits but rather to make sure you would answer wrong when he asked you to guess his age.
Mike worked in the business world as an operations vice president for Waitkoss Company, the second largest Pizza Hut franchisee at that time, located in Aurora, IL. He guided the company into venture capital initiatives for over a decade from St. Thomas to Florida. He was president of the company when it developed the Expresslane Pizza concept in downtown Chicago. More recently he worked for RDP Food Services in central Ohio and Sysco Foods based out of Cleveland.
Over the last several decades he enjoyed his time in the cigar world with his friends and son at the local cigar shop. Affectionately referred to as the “Mayor” you could find him in his assigned seat of the lounge greeting and welcoming all attendees new and old. He was an especially friendly, slightly opinionated (*wink*), cigar loving soul that would do anything he could do to help.
Mike is survived by Carol Waris; two children, Matt (Andi) and John Waris; and one grandson, Ezbjorn. Additional survivors include his brother Thomas and sisters Patricia and Sara.
He was preceded in death by his sister Vicki.

Donations in lieu of flowers to the following charities can be made in his honor: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=lttr-home https://store.cigarsforwarriors.org/product/donate-to-cigars-for-warriors/

Please come and celebrate Mike’s life with family and friends at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333 on Saturday October 22, 2022. Friends may call from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM with a memorial service immediately following.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.