Michael John Switalski Jr.

Michael J. Switalski Jr., age 85, of Edgewood, MD, died on March 26, 2010 after a prolonged illness. Michael was born in Chicago, IL, the son of Michael Sr. and Marie Switalski. He spoke often of his extended family and the close-knit Polish community in which he was raised.

Michael joined the Army in 1943 and after serving 20 years, retired in 1963. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and was stationed on the island of Saipan at the close of the war. During the following years he served at various stations in the U.S. and overseas: Germany (twice), Panama, and Korea. Michael spent the majority of his Army career in Criminal Justice and at retirement, was a Polygraph Examiner. He continued in that field with the Baltimore Police Department.

Michael enjoyed the 20 years he spent in the Department and the many friends and co-workers he met there. On retirement, he was presented with a plaque that meant as much to him as many of the others that he received. It read: Presented by his many Friends and Co-Workers for his outstanding contributions to fighting crime by means of "The Box".

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Snyder Switalski of Edgewood, MD; sons, Michael and wife, Mary, of Alexandria, VA and Peter and wife, Deborah, of Abingdon, MD; granddaughters, Megan and husband, Mike McAndrew, and Carly Switalski of Pittsburg, PA. Also brother, William Switalski and nephews, Phillip and wife, Amy, and children, Peter, Lucie, and Luke; William and wife, Pam; nieces, Kathy and husband, Carmon Mest, Michaleen Safka and a special friend of many years, John Meeks.

Michael was predeceased by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Michael Safka; and sister-in-law, Georgiana Switalski.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Edgewood, MD.

Services will be held on April 20, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.