Michael Stephen Podgorski Sr.

Michael Stephen Podgorski, 78, of Kernersville, passed away February 18, 2025, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. 

Mr. Podgorski was born January 15, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Stephen Podgorski and Lillian June Husak Podgorski. He graduated from Father Judge H.S. in Philadelphia, and earned an associate’s degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture as well as a B.A. in Business Administration from Temple University. Soon after, he started a successful business, Holland Gardens in Bucks County, PA, which offered complete nursery, landscaping, and florist services. 

In mid-life, he earned his private pilot’s aviation and instrumentation license and flew from Pennsylvania to Florida. During this period of his life, he started a second successful business, an eBay store specializing in football cards and football memorabilia from all eras and manufacturers. Later in life, he became a highly successful Inside Sales Consultant, generating a lucrative stream of revenue for Staples, Inc. 

His many interests and hobbies included collecting currency, stamps, and postal covers – especially air mail. He was a highly competitive golfer and card game player. Born in Philadelphia, he grew up as a fan of the Eagles, and he often visited the Football Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, bringing friends and family with him to share his passion for the sport. He was also passionate about sports cars and drove many domestic and foreign models throughout his life until he found his favorite of them all, a Ford Mustang Saleen S281.

Mike was an avid fan of all living things on God’s green earth, and he found beauty in every environment and throughout his extensive travels. He created beautiful spaces at all his residences, and he always found room for innumerable pets. He believed in becoming a well-rounded person, and in that and in all his ambitions, he always succeeded, despite the many challenges and setbacks that life presented him. 

He loved his family, and Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his uncles, Thomas Husak and Stephen Husak and his Aunt Victoria. Left to cherish his memory with deep appreciation and gratitude are two sisters, Christine Michels (James) and Karen Taylor (Robert); his Partner in Life, Marie James; one son, Michael Podgorski Jr.; one daughter, Sharon Wenger; and two grandchildren, Grace and Andrew Wenger.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 12:00pm at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek at 3315 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. An additional private memorial service will include inurnment at Oakland Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA at a date to be determined.

The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a memorial tree in Mike’s name.