Michael C. Gniewoz, Sr., 68, of Phoenixville, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Chestnut Hill Hospital. Born on July 1, 1950 in Chester, he was a son of the late Genevieve (Korab) and Peter Gniewoz and lived a very full life.

Michael was a character unlike any other. As a teenager, he excelled at football and track and field. Into adulthood, he loved spending time at the beach surf fishing and watching the tide rolling away. Boating and being on the water was a passion he passed down to his children and grandchildren along with the love of fishing and crabbing. He was often overflowing with ideas and prototypes for specialty lures and fishing equipment as he was a Chesapeake Waterman at heart.

Michael appreciated and revered the complex beauty that exists in nature not just on the water, but on land. To say he had a talent for gently and respectfully shaping nature to take the path desired by man, is an understatement. In his earlier years, he owned a landscape business and was later employed by Saint Joseph's University as the Superintendent of the Grounds Department. He continued on to work in the excavation and contracting fields until his retirement while always keeping his green thumb alive, often reviving trees and plants that others had tossed away.

Above all, Michael was a family man. He loved time spent with his children and grandchildren. He could often be found applying his numerous gifts when helping his children with projects at their own home. He was resourceful; if he didn't know something, he would surely figure it out. Before, during, and after his time served in the United States Marine Corps, he had an unmatched work ethic and sense of determination. This, too, he passed on to his children. He never missed an opportunity to teach others not to focus on the failure, but instead to seek the lesson learned and to never, ever, ever give up.

Michael will be remembered as quite the conversationalist with a phenomenal sense of humor. He was sharp and quick-witted, and even while in the hospital, made everyone laugh with his wonderful one-liners. He was a walking, talking encyclopedia of skill, wisdom and knowledge who was greatly loved.

Mr. Gniewoz is survived by his children: Rebecca A., wife of Michael Goldberg, of Ephrata, Mariel A. Gniewoz-Weiss, wife of Thomas S. Weiss, of Collegeville, Michele E., wife of Christopher Andrews, of Oxford and Michael C., Jr., husband of Danielle Gniewoz, of Royersford; siblings: Christine Cleaver, of Virginia, Peter Gniewoz, of Maryland and Timothy Gniewoz, of Delaware; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister: Francine Rainey.

Relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 am - 11:30 am Friday morning, March 15, 2019 at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc, Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville. Memorial contributions may be made in Michael's name to the Arbor Day Foundation. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.