The plaque near Gil Migala’s cash register always said…Rule #1 — The Customer is always right. Rule #2 — If the Customer is wrong, see Rule #1. Or…it may have said the Boss is always right…I don’t honestly remember. I simply recall that I was eternally grateful for that little bit of wisdom because it was the icebreaker that allowed me to peek behind the curtain at the kind of man that Gil Migala was as a businessman. He was impressive. He knew his business well, and worked hard at it. He was one of my first clients when I launched my radio advertising career 43 years ago, and sadly he has now passed away.
His full name was Martin Gilbert Migala, but he was forever known by the nickname variation on his middle name, because he shared his father’s first name. My friend Gil died yesterday, Monday, March 27, 2017, at the Hanson Hospice Center following a Herculean end-of-life battle.
Gil was born in Chicago, on January 14, 1938 to Martin and Lucille (Tremba) Migala. After graduating from St. Joseph High School, Gil proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Afterwards, he worked for the Whirlpool Corporation for several years before being lured into the family floor covering business which was started by his uncle and father in 1912. Gil bought the business from his uncle in 1967 and oversaw its growth until his retirement, 44 years later, in 2011.
Migala Rug & Tile flourished under Gil’s leadership and moved from quarters on Main Street in Benton Harbor to their current location on Niles Road in St. Joseph Charter Township, alongside Starks & Menchinger Funeral Chapel where Gil’s funeral arrangements have been made.
Gil was joined in the family by his brother Bill and by Gil’s son Jeff, and they, and their design consultant Katie Jones continue to excel in that business as a market leader in floor coverings and decor of all types.
In April of 2000, Gil married Marian (Dove) Franklin.
He will be sadly missed by his son Jeff (Julie) Migala of St. Joseph and his daughter Julie Migala of Madison, AL; stepsons John (Susan) Franklin of Midlothian, VA; Mark Franklin of Gillette, WY; Scott (Anne) Franklin of Denver, CO and his stepdaughter Tina Sassano of Stevensville, MI. Gil also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Karen (Jerry) Gunning of Cincinnati, OH; Diane (Joe) Petlick of St. Joseph; brother Bill Migala of St. Joseph; step brothers Kent (Alda) Walton of Arlington, TX; Branch (Debbie) Walton of Florida; step sister Beth Jones of Benton Harbor, MI; and brother-in-law Bill Rickel of St. Joseph.
Gil was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dolores Rickel and his daughter Angie Migala.
Gil took great entrepreneurial pride in being a business owner and member of his local Chamber of Commerce. He filled his spare time with various activities such as bowling, volleyball, hunting,skiing, golf and softball, which included a Men’s Class B state title.
Gil was also very passionate about his involvement in the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) of which he was an active member of the board of directors. He was also active in the St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as his role as a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus Council 13942. Gil also had a passion for genealogy which sometimes found him huddled in the Salt Lake City Family History Library for hours upon hours, and even days upon days.
The family invites friends to visit with Gil’s family on Sunday, April 2 at Starks-Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph from 3-5pm. A Celebration of Life mass will be held Monday, April 3, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 11am. Memorial donations may be made in Gil’s name to the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Those wishing to sign Gil’s memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Interment will follow at a future date.
I will forever fondly recall my frequent calls on the Migala Rug & Tile Company as times of great fun, and frequent learning. Gil Migala was a foundational leader in the community of Michigan’s Great Southwest.
