John Jerome Mihalko, Jr.

John “Moons” Mihalko, aka “The Legend,” born January 2nd, 1940, took his last checkered flag on July 8th, 2022. John is survived by his loving daughter Amanda (James) Nelson, granddaughter Korina Billy, stepsons Scott (Kara) Nissen and Jeff (Shelly) Nissen, and the extremely beloved Hass family including brother-in-law Dan Haas and his children and grandchildren. John also had special friends Joey Moyer and Evie and Louie Tinta. He also leaves behind many other close friends, which he adored. Among these friends are Keith and Cassie Tinta, as well as the members of Cooley Canal and Bay View Yacht Clubs. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Mihalko, sisters Mitzi (Mihalko) George, and Karen (Mihalko) Haas. John was born in the Birmingham ethnic neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio, and was a longtime resident of Oregon who graduated from Clay High School in 1958. Much of his early life had included working at Seaport Automotive, which led to his love of working on cars. It was during this time that he met many of his lifelong friends that remained in contact with for the rest of his life. He began drag racing after he snuck off to the Lucas County Fairgrounds as a teen to watch a race and fell in love with the sport. While successful on his own, he partnered with Bob Gottschalk as crew chief to form a truly winning combination that ultimately won the Winston Cup Championship in 1982. In later years, he had the honor of being inducted into the Birmingham Hall of Fame in East Toledo for his racing accomplishments. John continued pursing his love of racing by starting his own race car engine building company, Mihalko Race Cars, in which he was hugely successful. He later transitioned his business to working on marine engines about the time he purchased his only boat “Still The One,” on which he spent countless summers on Lake Erie. He forged many friendships through decades of membership at the Cooley Canal Yacht Club, where he served as Sergeant-at-Arms, and as an associate member at the Bay View Yacht Club. It was at CCYC that John met his special friend Joey Moyer, who brightened his days and whose picture John hung in his home until he passed. John also had another little buddy, Louie Tinta, who lived next door and visited John pretty much whenever he wanted. Louie kept John company, entertained him, and kept him on his toes, for which we will forever be grateful. We are also grateful to Louie’s mom Cassie, aided by husband Keith, for the incredible amount of care, compassion, and effort she put into helping John in his final years. Much of John’s later years were spent watching almost every sporting event he could find on TV, from hockey to UFC, and everything in between. But John’s passion for his Ohio State Buckeyes and Green Bay Packers football is legendary, and he somehow became a recent Golden State Warriors fan. We ask that you remember John when you see his favorite teams play. A Celebration of Life Service will be hosted by Mandy in John’s honor at Cooley Canal Yacht Club, 12235 Bono Road, Curtice, on Sunday July 31st, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Please dress casually as this is a celebration and John wouldn’t want people dressing up for him. Mandy wishes to express a special thank you to Scott and Kara Nissen for all their help, support, and love, as well as, to the staff of St. Charles Hospital for care during his final days.