![\"07board_vinecki\"](\"https:\/\/msaa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/07board_vinecki.jpg\")
Michael Lee Vinecki<\/strong>, age 40, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife and children Thursday morning, March 12, 2009. He fought a valiant battle with a rare, aggressive form of prostate cancer. His wife, Dr. Dawn Estelle, and their four children, Yukon Dominick, 11, Winter Lee, 10, Magnum Edwin, 8, and Ruger Michael, 6, will carry on his mission to find a cure and end prostate cancer.<\/p>\nAlso surviving are his parents; sister, Brenda (Daniel) Kwapis of Johannesburg, and brother, Rick (Alicia) of Traverse City. Many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews will miss Michael, as well. Michael was a 1986 graduate of Gaylord High School.<\/p>\n
He was a musician and spent his teen and early twenties playing polkas across the country with his brother Rick. It all began at an early age while playing drums with his dad and brother in a 3-piece local band. Michael played with the grammy-winning group, Eddie Blazonczyk\u2019s Versatones, in 1990 and toured the United States and Europe while still a young man. He performed with numerous other groups because of his ability and amazing talents. While living in the Chicago area in the late 1990\u2019s, Michael formed a country band called \u201cMichael Lee and the Dusters\u201d and played in the Northern Illinois area.<\/p>\n
Auctioneering was Michael\u2019s second love and he was an integral part of Vinecki Auction Services with his family. His brilliant smile and smooth style will be missed. Michael was an active member of the Michigan State Auctioneers Association and National Auctioneers Association. He served on the MAA Board of Directors and competed in the Michigan Auctioneer Championship finishing as a finalist several times.\u00a0 His most recent accomplishment was obtaining his Broker\u2019s License in Real Estate.<\/p>\n
Following Michael\u2019s diagnosis in May 2008, the entire family became involved with the Athletes For a Cure, a branch of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. \u201cTeam Winter\u201d was founded by his daughter Winter to actively raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer. People are currently swimming, biking, and running across the country in honor of Michael and in support of Team Winter. The family and friends will continue this effort on Michael\u2019s behalf. The Inaugural Team Winter 5K Challenge was originally schedule for June 6, 2009 in Grand Rapids, MI in memory of Michael. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the race has been moved to July 25 in Charlevoix.\u00a0 For more details, visit www.teamwinter.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Michael will probably most be remembered for his smile and quick wit.\u00a0 He always had an amazing ability to light up any room he walked into.\u00a0 Even during his last visit to an MAA Conference this January, Michael was continuing to find ways to make people smile.\u00a0 Friends and family who wish to honor Michael\u2019s memory may contribute to the Vinecki Children College Fund, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734 or mail to the MAA at 4529 Gibbs NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544.<\/p>\n Words of prayer and encouragement may be sent to:<\/p>\n Dr. Dawn Estelle-Vinecki Michael L. Vinecki 1968 \u2013 2009 Michael Lee Vinecki, age 40, passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife and children Thursday morning, March 12, 2009. He fought a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-877","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=877"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3720,"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/877\/revisions\/3720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/msaa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n514 Camp Ten Road
\nGaylord, MI 49735<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"