Paul T. Michalczyk, better known as Smig, passed away peacefully in the wee hours of January 10, 2012. Paul was born December 10, 1926, the son of Paul Michalczyk and Sophie Curylo Michalczyk. Paul was a 17 year old Army recruit when he served as Staff Sergeant in the 1st Infantry Regiment of the 6th Division in Korea and the Philippines. Following his war experience, he initially found employment helping out at a gas station owned by a cousin, Johnny Krock. From there he moved behind the counter at the old Jay Bee Luncheonette, originally owned by "Frank" and "Gummy", on the block where the Wells Fargo Bank now stands. Eventually, along with Jim Carrington, Smig took ownership of the business and moved it to the corner of Pratt and East Main Sts. where it became a magnet to all of a then flourishing downtown. Throughout his years at Jay Bee, Smig honed his ability to draw you into a story that predictably had a (BA DA BING BA DA BOOM) punch line. As the years passed, however, Smig's stories became less "stand-up' and more history lessons of a time frame during which Meriden saw many changes. Smig also had an" in" to the current political agenda of the time, being privy to many discussions that emanated in the relaxed atmosphere of the coffee shop. Just recently, the secret of the famous Jay Bee hot dog was disclosed by a former employee to Smig's great niece. But the family's lips are sealed! And I'm sure the long line of former Jay Bee employees alone could engender a reunion of sorts, trading stories and experiences. Following his early retirement at age 53, Smig assumed responsibility for his elderly father, Paul, who lived on well into his 90s. He spent many quality hours in the company of life long friends, the Filipek Brothers, Wint and Dick (better known as "Honey"). The Filipek's all considered Smig as family and there was always an open invitation to any family function. Still, his favorite spot was the kielbasa store on Elm Street, where many an afternoon was spent in a serious pinochle or cribbage match. Smig contributed to the store's reputation for having freshly ground horseradish by personally enlisting anyone he could to assist him in creating the "delicacy", no matter the tears and pain involved. Only those who have experienced the sinus-clearing whiff of Smig's horseradish can relate. In 2010, Smig took a fall resulting in a broken leg that began a downward spiral to his freewheeling lifestyle. Smig was predeceased by three sisters with families that loved their Uncle Paul as a friend, a confidante, a "buffer", and frequent benefactor. He was the GO-TO guy when you needed one. Everyone should be so blessed to have an Uncle Paul! His sisters and their husbands were Helen and Theodore Opalski, Josephine Biestek, and Irene and Steven Pasinski. Smig was devastated by the premature and untimely death of his cousin, Henry (Zsa Zsa) Zaleski. He was also diminished by the loss of his lifetime friends, Winton and "Honey" Filipek. Hopefully, they are all together now. Smig is survived by many nephews and nieces, most notably Jim and Kelly Pasinski, who shared his address and lovingly looked after him during his final years. His survivors consist of nephews and nieces: Richard Pasinski and his wife Linda (Mesite) and their sons, Jim Pasinski and wife Kelly, parents of Austin and Hailey, and Kevin Pasinski and wife Christine, parents of Ashlyn. Also Joan (Pasinski) Malczynski and husband, Zbigniew and their sons, Steven and wife Rosa, parents of Alyssa and Erika and Michael Malczynski of Berwyn, IL. Also Patricia (Pasinski) Barnes and husband Jim, Dean StPierre, father of Jacqueline and Danielle, Shelley(StPierre) Hood, mother of Chelsea and Eric and Renee (StPierre) Pichnarcik and husband Brian and sons, Drew and Logan. Also Cindy Opalski of Danville, PA and Jane (Opalski) Kondracki and Joe Opalski and his wife Laura (Wooster) parents of Lisa Opalski, and DR. Debbie Opalski of North Carolina. Also Tom Biestek, Janet (Biestek) Francis and husband John, parents of Bill Francis, Joelle (Francis) Quilty and husband James whose daughters are Jacey and Jenna, and Carol (Francis) Labissoniere and husband Mike parents of Noah and Jada.