Cranford Teen Remembered For His Smile and 'Endless Courage'

A hero. An inspiration. A fighter. There have been many words used to describe Michael "Wiggy" Wielgus, and as friends and family members mourn the loss of the 16-year-old Cranford High School student, they are adding another description: guardian angel.

Michael's battle with cancer ended on March 28, when he died peacefully surrounded by his family, according to his memorial page on the Mastapeter Funeral Home website. The obituary describes Michael as "a straight A sophomore at Cranford High School. He was a member of the Cranford Varsity soccer team and a Latin scholar. Michael (also known as Wiggy to his friends and MJ to some family members) played for the US Parma Soccer Club since 2009. He was the team captain for the Cavalieri team."

Michael was diagnosed with a germ-cell brain tumor on Aug. 30, 2010. The teen underwent six rounds of chemotherapy treatments and two brain surgeries, hs mother, Lisa, told Cranford Patch last April. In July of 2011, he was diagnosed with a second brain tumor which was treated with three more rounds of chemotherapy, followed by two intense rounds of high-dose chemotherapy.

The first indication that something could be wrong came when Michael was on vacation with his family in Busch Gardens, Va. He experienced a severe headache following a roller coaster ride. When the headache continued hours later, they took him to the emergency room, thinking it was a concussion from the ride. Scans of Michael's brain, however, revealed something more serious. A mass that was later determined to be cancer. He underwent surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital and instead of starting eighth grade, he started chemo.

Last April, Cranford Patch interviewed Michael, his younger sister Lindsay and a group of their friends who called themselves "Wiggy's Walkers." The goal of the close-knit group of friends was to raise money for the annual American Cancer Society's Relay For Life through a fundraiser they dubbed "Flush Away Cancer." In March of 2012, Michael was a guest speaker at the Union County Magnet School's Relay for Life event. 

Ever since being diagnosed, the community rallied around Michael and his family. There were a number of fundraisers to help the family with medical expenses and neighbors have given tremendous amounts of moral support while the teen endured treatment and recovery.

Friends, family members and acquaintances who left messages on Michael's memorial page describe the teen as having "endless courage." He was also known for his "beautiful smile, laugh and wonderful personality."

"In your short time with us you were an inspiration to all," one relative said.

Michael is survived by his parents Michael and Lisa, his sister Lindsay and his dog Lady, according to his obituary. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents Alex and Ann Mikos, paternal grandfather Warren Wielgus and paternal great grandmother May Hokanson as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A funeral service for Michael is scheduled for April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Church in Cranford. Visitation is on April 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park. Interment will take place at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Cops Kick In for Michael, P.O. Box #173, Roselle Park, NJ 07204.

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