*PLEASE NOTE A TIME FOR MIKE'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED*

On December 26, 2024, with his family by his side, Michael "Mike" Swiridow, 72, lost his months-long battle with cancer.

He was born April 10,1952 in Venezuela to Anatoli and Nina Swiridow, the second of three children. In 1959, the family moved from Venezuela to Beloit, Wisconsin and later settled in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Mike met the love of his life, Bonnie, on Bay Lake in Northern Minnesota in 1969. He graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1970 and the couple was married in 1972. He joined the United States Air Force in 1970 and was deployed to Wiesbaden Germany in 1972, where the couple lived until 1974. They later moved back to the United States and lived in various locations where Mike was stationed or able to find work in various law enforcement capacities.

Mike's second love was flying. He obtained his private pilot's license while still in high school and continued his aviation education over the years, which culminated in his job with the U.S. Customs Air Branch San Angelo, TX, where he served from 1986-2002, retiring at the equivalent rank of Colonel. In his "retirement", he built a beautiful home at the couple's property in Finlayson, Minnesota, which served as a gathering place for friends and family.  In addition, he returned to aviation, where he flew as an Air Marshall for private companies and as a professional pilot for many small businesses and families in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  He was also active in his community and volunteered his time at the Pine County Museum, where he put his model railroad hobby to good use.

Mike had a kind and generous spirit and will be remembered fondly by many whose lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his mother, Nina and father, Anatoli. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie, son Matthew (LeeAnne) of Plymouth, son Kersten of St. Louis Park, brother Gene (Linda) of Hinckley and sister Tina (Mike) of Aurora, CO as well as his nephews and nieces, their spouses and children.

Please join us for a celebration of the life of Michael Swiridow held at 9480 Lima Street at the Anoka-Blaine Airport on Saturday, May 17th at 2pm. Refreshments will be served. We look forward to sharing our memories together.

Also, any gifts can be directed to Mayo Cancer Care:  https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc  Under "Tribute Information" please indicate the gift is in memory of Michael Swiridow.  Under designation, please select "Cancer Research".

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.