Michael Brodsky passed away on March 15, 2022 at his home in Princeton. He was 74.
Michael was born in the Village of Zelenchukskaya in the Stavropol area of the former Soviet Union. He lived there until he was 15, and then moved to Minsk, where he lived with his cousin’s family, and studied at the Minsk Technikum to be a draftsman. After graduating from Technikum in 1967, he worked as a draftsman for several years. During this time, he met and married Klara, in November 1970. He went back to school to the Byelorussian Polytechnical Institute where he studied during the nights and continued working as a draftsman for 5 years and obtained his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1977. Michael and Klara’s son Igor was born during this time in 1975.
Michael, Klara, and Igor emigrated to the United States during the cold war in 1979, joined by Klara’s mother Hannah, and Klara’s brother Boris and his wife Ruth. They first settled in Indianapolis, IN, where they lived until 1985, when they moved briefly to Natick, MA, and then finally to NJ. In New Jersey, they lived in Plainsboro, Lawrenceville, and finally Princeton where Michael lived for the past 14 years.
In Indianapolis, he worked initially as a draftsman for a private company, and then obtained a job as a civil engineer at the infrastructure design firm, Howard Needles, Tammen, and Bergendorf (HNTB). He worked there until moving to New Jersey, when he moved to the construction engineering company, Greenman Pederson, Inc., where he worked for nearly 35 years initially as a draftsman and civil engineer, and then as a field inspector on highway and bridge construction sites. He enjoyed being a field inspector because it gave him the opportunity to be outside and was a perfect fit for his meticulous nature
Michael enjoyed volleyball, table-tennis, soccer, listening to classical music (Jascha Heifetz and Yitzhak Perelman violin, Bach and Telemann concertos) watching Clint Eastwood (if “A Fistfull of Dollars” was on, then everything else would stop) and James Bond films (Goldfinger was a perennial favorite) and telling jokes.
He supported organizations that supported American Veterans, funds for victims of 9-11, and to institutions of higher learning in the United States and Israel, including The Lawrenceville School, The University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, The Weitzman Institute, and the Technion.
Michael was a kind, gracious, and generous spirit who treated everyone he met with dignity and respect. He knew the value of diligence and hard work; he embodied those qualities in his daily life, and imparted them to his son. Michael loved being with people, and loved his family. He particularly loved to tell jokes and Russian stories and enjoyed making people laugh. Michael especially loved spending time with his granddaughter, Maya and taking her to the swimming pool when she spent a week or two in the summers with her grandparents. He was a loving and caring husband who deeply loved Klara, and was a supportive and understanding father who was always proud of his son. He was the kind of person that if anyone needed his help with anything, he could always be relied upon to drop everything and help.
Michael is survived by his wife, Klara Brodsky, a son, Igor Brodsky, a daughter-law, Sunny Shin, a granddaughter Maya, and his brother-in-law Boris Fridman and his family.
Funeral services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to RazomForUkraine: https://razomforukraine.org/donate/
We are so saddened to hear of Michael’s passing. He was a great friend to Jerry and we loved hearing his stories almost as much as he always seemed to love hearing ours. Every time we saw him he asked after our children and remembered all their activities and honors. He was so proud of his family and loved all of you so much. I spent many happy GPI Christmas parties and work anniversary parties listening to “Brodsky stories” and jokes. You must feel so bereft at his passing but please know you are not alone in that grief. We all feel sorrow for you. The world is a little less bright today. Love to you all. Heather and Jerry Arters
Klara, Igor and Family,
I was very saddened to hear about Michael’s passing. Reading your tribute to him reminded me of his love of life and family, and willingness to help those in need. I will always cherish the memories with Michael and his great nature, positive attitude, storytelling, sharing his cheese sandwiches with me (he wouldn’t take no for an answer), and of course – his smile! We’re all thinking about you, share in your grief and wish you love and comfort during this difficult time.
Gary Etter
Kara and Family,
I was so saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to you at this time of grief. Mike was a great guy who helped everyone, always positive and great storyteller. I remember meeting him in GPI Holidays parties and hearing his funny stories. My deepest condolences on the loss of Mike.
Ahmed Amer
Dear Klara, Igor, and your Family,
I was incredibly saddened to hear of Michael’s passing. Michael and I had spoken recently and it was great to talk with him. I believe he enjoyed our conversation as much as I did. Little did I know that would be the last time we would ever talk, while on this earth. I’m so grateful we were able to connect. After that conversation, I found myself thinking about Michael in the very way your wonderful words described and paid tribute to him. I am thankful I got the chance to know Michael as both a colleague and a friend. I believe that Michael will be universally remembered as a genuinely kind and generous person. It was clear how much he loved you and I’m sure how much he was loved. I can only imagine the intense grief and sadness you must be feeling. I hope these well wishes from everyone will provide some comfort and peace as you celebrate Michael’s amazing and wonderful life. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jim Laurita
Klara and family.
We were so saddened to hear of Michael’s passing. Our hearts go out to you.
We have known Michael Brodsky for 42 years, since we came to the US, for most of our lives, actually. And the impression we got when we first met, and the impression of him we had for years, were one and the same, he hasn’t changed much. A nice man, a kind man, an intelligent man, a very friendly man, and, of course, a funny man. You could always count on Misha to cheer you up with a joke, to make you laugh.
We often talked about his job. He liked it. He liked what he was doing, was obviously very good at it, took pride in his work. And he was liked and respected by people who worked with him – that tells me much about the person.
There were many other things that he liked – and talked very animatedly about. Volleyball, his team at the YMCA, other – I cannot recall exactly what they were, but I remember vividly his enthusiasm. He liked life and knew how to enjoy it.
Until he got ill, he was always a part of our company, several families-friends from the former Soviet Union. He was an unassuming man, unpretentious, never the loud one. Just a really nice man, a good man to be around, to have around.
And now that he is gone, unexpectedly, untimely, there is a hole that can’t be filled. It hurts to know that we will never see him again, laugh with him again. He will be missed. We miss him already.
Dear Klara and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Michael Brodsky. I first met him in 2008 when I joined GPI. Since that time, I worked with Mike on several projects. I can never forget Mike’s sense of humor, his willingness to help others and his positive and happy nature. I will always cherish my time spent with him. He will always be in our thoughts and memories. Please accept my deepest condolences on your immeasurable loss.
Saif Salahuddin