Michael David Stachecki's Obituary
Michael Stachecki Sr.
September 16, 1939 – May 27, 2026
Michael Stachecki Sr. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his sons, Michael Jr. and Todd; grandsons Michael III, Matthew and his wife Rebecca, and Adam and his wife Lauren; great-grandchildren Simmonds and Hayes. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lillian Jane (Grier) Stachecki and their adopted son Dave Gregor.
Born in Long Island to Stanley and Ann Stachecki. He had one brother, Stanley and one sister, Maryann. His father passed away in 1956, while Michael was in his final year of high school where he played football for Dover High. He was an all-state player and played in the annual blue and gold game. His final year of high school he was MVP of the varsity football team, playing primarily as a running back. He has a passion for sports and football, and it helped keep him focused. He earned a scholarship but decided to work and help his mom and family on the Stachecki family potato farm because he knew how hard his dad had worked to keep it going. Michael also loved riding horse, racing and jumping with them. He loved telling stories about riding horses all the way from Dover to Smyrna and back with friends while shooting at each other with BB guns.
A little later in life, he was in the national guard but was honorably discharged after getting shot.
He was just an ordinary kid and an ordinary young man and then, Michael met the love of his life, Lillian Jane Grier, our mom, in 1957. They got married in August 1959, just before Michael’s 20th birthday. Their love for each other and the love for their two boys and family made them extraordinary. They became one, and the best qualities they each had were passed to the other; that is what made them work so well together as husband and wife and mother and father. They loved to dance. When they danced together it was both beautiful and peaceful. They always had a glow about them, and it was like the whole world disappeared as if it was just the in each other’s arms, moving as one.
Michael and Jane have two sons, Michael and Todd and one adopted son, Dave Gregor. As parents they taught us right from wrong and to treat everyone as we would like to be treated; to love and care for others, to always work hard and always give your best. They whipped our butts when we didn’t learn quick enough, which we certainly deserved.
In 1964 Michael joined the police force and graduated from the FBI academy. While there, he excelled in hostage negotiations. He used that talent several times throughout his career, leading him to be Captain in the Dover Police Force. After 20 years of service, he retired in 1984. He loved his time there and made many lifelong friends along the way.
We all had a passion for baseball. In 1970, Michael became president of Dover Little League. They convinced the city of Dover to donate a parcel of land on Horse Pond Road and built a ballpark; the fields, dugouts, concession stands, etc. Him and his buddy, coached the teams and Dover little league took off, giving hundreds of kids something to do and making more lifelong friends and memories. To this day it is such a blessing. He donated hundreds of hours and days, doing all this work, but always said the return was even greater. It was all about the kids.
After Michael retired from the police force, in 1984, he and Jane bought the Little Grocer and asked their son Todd to help them get it started. The Little Grocer is still open over 40 years later, and Mike & Jane’s dedication to the customers has stayed alive for three generations. Their eldest son Michael already had a good career working at Kraft. After several successful years, Mickey and Jane decided that they had sacrificed enough and decided to start enjoying more activities out of the normal working lifestyle they had created. They started skiing and became very good at it, even passing the love of it on to their son and grandsons. They traveled to serval places to ski including Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, Colorado, Nevada, California and a few other states, I’m sure. They also took time with friends to take trips and cruises and travel like they had always dreamed of. It was wonderful getting to watch them fulfill their dreams and finally enjoy their hard work and some time together, leading them to ultimately buy land at Broadkill Beach. They eventually put a double wide there making it a close, easy get-a-way from work.
When they became grandparents, they loved even more. They were and are so proud of all three grandsons. There was nothing Michael and Jane enjoyed more, especially when they took them all to Broadkill, took Matt and Adam on skiing trips or to Myrtle Beach. Spending so much time with them over the years gave them ample time to share advice and push them to trust them to become the responsible young men they are today.
The Broadkill Beach house is cherished by the whole family. Mike and Jane spent almost every weekend at the beach house during the summer months. Weve enjoyed and celebrated many summer holidays, weekends, birthdays and milestones at the beach house. The opportunity that this house created for our family is unmeasurable. We’ve bonded and spent so much quality time there together creating lifelong memories we will never forget.
Throughout Michael’s life, one of his most treasured memories were of the little grocer softball team he coached for many years. After a few rough years, they added players and became a solid team, leading them to win several season championships and tournaments. Pop loved talking trash and he loved getting it right back too. The team became a family that he was very proud of. Most of the teammates have kept in close contact throughout the years and them and their families keep in touch to this day. I can tell you many of the team’s stories but can’t put it all down in writing.
Michael was still sharp until the day he passed. During the last few years, while Todd was taking care of him full time, he was able to have many meaningful, intelligent conversations that lead to a lot of the stories we will carry with us forever. So many stores, memories, good times, sad times. His great friend, like a brother to him, Kevin Burris was by his side until the very end as well spending countless hours, and he would gladly share the stories he’s heard as well. He is, was and always will be a great man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He always had the best advice and listened, even if he didn’t agree and would let you know his honest opinion. He has always been respected by everyone and that was a favorite thing of ours to witness. If you had the pleasure to know him, then you already know the kind of person he truly was.
Peacefully may you rest in heaven with your beloved wife, and sipping on coffee with Mario, Ralph, Vito and Stanley.
Rest in peace dad, love you and thank you.
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