Obituary of Mitchel Peter Pajonas

Mitchel Peter Pajonas, 67, passed peacefully with family on January 23, 2021, after a 6 month battle with colon cancer. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Cathedral in Plattsburgh this spring.

Born July 13, 1953 in Plattsburgh, NY,  Mitch spent his childhood, and ultimately his life, devoted to his music, athletics, work, and Catholic faith.   After graduating high school from Mount Assumption in Plattsburgh, he went to Walsh College where he met Mary, his wife of 19 years. Together, they had 3 children and raised their family in Tully, NY.

Mitch worked at Crucible Steel where he took tremendous pride in his job as a specialist in Crane Maintenance.  He served as a Union Steward for the local United Steelworkers (USW), advocating for equality in the labor industry and career advancement opportunities for millwrights.  Throughout his career and into retirement, he was an activist for labor and civil rights locally and nationally.

A talented, self-taught pianist and guitarist, Mitch brought music into all aspects of his life. He served as Music Director and performed at weekly mass services for his local parish throughout his adult life. He was a founding member of “The Bags”, a band formed in the early 80s that played classic Rock-n-Roll together for decades. 

Mitch was a dedicated community member who coached softball, baseball, and basketball and played music in high school musicals and local productions.

He and his family are eternally grateful to the organ donor who gave him a new lease on life through a life-changing kidney transplant in 2010. He went on to live 11 years with a kick in his step and enjoyed time with his grandchildren, playing golf, and camping in Vermont and the Adirondacks.

He ultimately retired and moved back to his beloved North Country.  He spent this chapter of his life surrounded by the beauty of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, his family and special friends. 

He is predeceased by his parents Mary Elizabeth (Walker) and Charles Alfonse Pajonas, and his brother William. He is survived by his sisters Kathryn Maureen Palmer and Margaret Ann Huse; his daughter Jessica Schultz and his son-in-law Steven; his daughter Kathryn DeCock and his son-in-law Nicholas; his son Joseph Pajonas and his daughter-in-law Emma; and his eight grandchildren: Maggie, Henry, Samuel, Leo, Vincent Mitchel, Maren, Arthur and Posey.

Mitch had the gift of making people feel special, important, and loved.  He dedicated his life to his family, his faith, and the betterment of humanity through fair and just practices and simple, straightforward kindness.  His shiny smile will be forever missed.