LISIESKI, MICHAEL EDWARD
Michael Edward Lisieski, Esquire, 59, of Medford, MA, passed from this life peacefully on November 4, 2013, in the company of his loving wife, Johanna Freeth, his three sisters, brother Joseph, and niece Melanie. His joy and cheerfulness in the simple pleasures of life, family and friends, and his quiet, understated courage-with-a-smile while facing the trials of forty-four years of renal dialysis and two kidney transplants continue to inspire those who knew him. The example of his strong and loving spirit and fond memories comfort those who miss him.
Intelligent… courageous… cheerful… witty… thoughtful… inquisitive… caring… loving… exploring… joyful… happy… professional… generous… patient… calm… all these qualities come to mind when trying to describe Michael. He made the practice of each, and any combination of them, seem natural and effortless. He greatly enjoyed exploring New England cities and countryside with family and friends, and venturing across the United States with wife Johanna to visit family. He took every opportunity to celebrate the good things in life with others, whether enthusiastically guiding them to his favorite spot for pizza or ice cream, or sharing a meal, movie, or genial conversation. He was a connoisseur of bargains and thoroughly enjoyed his trips to the supermarket, where he always sought out exotic tastes and flavors to satisfy his adventurous palate.
Michael was born on July 29th, 1954, in Worcester, MA, the fourth of eight children and second son of the late Sophie “Sandy” Barbara (Lemanski) and Joseph “Papa Joe” Francis Lisieski, aka: “Sandy & Joe.” He attended Saint Mary’s Grammar School and Mill Swan School in Worcester, graduated from Worcester Academy in 1972, received a BA degree in History from Clark University in 1976, then earned his J.D. law degree (Juris Doctor) from Boston University and was admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1981. Michael practiced law in Massachusetts for over 30 years. He was past president and trustee of The Kidney Transplant/Dialysis Association. He provided legal advice for the KTDA and his legal counsel has helped many people with security and reassurance in their personal and professional matters.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Judith Anne.
Michael is survived by his wife, Johanna Freeth, of Medford, MA. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Cornelia Freeth, of Medford, MA; by his three sisters, three brothers, and by three brothers-in-law and their spouses and families: Cheryle and Richard Dymek of Hopkinsville, KY, niece Melanie and nephew Stephen; Maria Lisieski and Asher Atkinson of Portland, OR; Patricia Lisieski, nephew Diego, of Salt Lake City, UT; Joseph Lisieski and Randi Henderson of Keokuk, IA, nephews Christopher, Michael and Sam; Peter (Lisieski) and Nancy Andrew, nephew Carl, of Nacogdoches, TX; Edward Lisieski and Carrie Newman, nephews Simon and Arlo, of Bainbridge Island, WA; Siri Didar Singh (Freeth) Khalsa and wife Siri Guru Nam Kaur Khalsa, nephews Siri Harpal Singh Khalsa and Sat Kartar Singh Khalsa, of Española, NM; Daniel Freeth and Monique Robinson of Washington, DC; Ricardo and Kathleen Freeth, nephews Richard and Jonathan, of Billerica, MA; and by many other beloved relatives and friends.
Michael requested cremation without ceremony. Those interested in details about a memorial celebration of his life next summer (2014) please email [email protected]
The family wishes to express special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and entire patient care teams at the Medical and Cardiac Intensive Care Units at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Your excellent professional and personally human care and kindnesses provided great comfort and dignity to Michael and his family. Special appreciation is also due to the countless dedicated caregivers who have worked with Michael over the years, from the time of first kidney disease diagnosis in grade school, through dialysis starting at age 15, two kidney transplants, and through all the associated interventions. Many of you have, of necessity, spent more time with Michael than most of his family members, and became an extended family of a sort in the process, treating body, mind and spirit with medicine, informed advice, encouragement, smiles and laughter in the course of your workdays. You are awesome!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/ Click “Ways to Give” button, then “Donate in Someone’s Honor” button. E-card may be sent to Johanna Freeth at [email protected]
Or, to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: http://www.bidmc.org/
http://www.bidmc.org/Give-to-BIDMC/Ways-to-Give/Gifts-in-Honor.aspx
On the BIDMC donation webpage form for a tribute or memorial gift, please notify: Johanna Freeth, c/o Casper Funeral Services, 187 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127, or you may use her home address.