James Mark Fabian

He was born on July 30, 1948 in Detroit, the seventh of eight surviving children. He attended Guardian Angels Elementary School in Detroit and subsequently Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, where he served as Class President for three of his four years in attendance and as Editor of the yearbook, graduating in 1966. He continued his studies earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University in 1972. After a brief stint in the State of North Carolina, he joined the staff of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and rose to the position of Chief Engineer until illness forced his disability retirement. He was universally admired by his superiors, colleagues, and subordinates alike for his professional talents and interpersonal skills.

He met the love of his life when she came to do a special project under his direction at Blue Cross and Blue Shield and they were married on May 7, 1976. The biggest joy in his life was the birth of his son Patrick in 1982. Being on disability, he took care of him from the time he was born. They worked together on many projects, including building him a three story tree house in the form of a ship “Miss. Chiff” complete with electricity and computer access. The bond within this small family was great and continued through his most recent illness. He was devoted to his Catholic faith possessing a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother. To paraphrase his niece Karen, he will always be the wise and gentle inventor, storyteller, musician, and a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend who took an interest in everyone whose lives touched his with his kindness, compassion, and unconditional love. He endured many physical trials and sufferings over the years with dignity, grace, and without a single complaint.

He is survived by his wife of forty years, Nancy (Cox) Fabian, and his son, Patrick. He is also survived by his siblings the Rev. Jack, Cynthia (Gordon) Whitten, Joseph (Mary Ann), and Jane (Richard) Rosemont; brothers and sisters in law, Donald (Gloria) Cox, John (Michelle) Cox, Gail Fabian, and Barbara Fabian; godchildren Kathleen (Fabian) Naegele, Kelly (Fabian) Remick, Jennifer (Fabian) Owczarek, Kristen Cox, Jennifer (Cox) Pavlick, Paul Joseph Fishwick, and Michael Bethuy; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his canine companion, Cody. He was predeceased by his parents Victor and Grace (Kelly) Fabian, longtime residents of Grosse Pointe Shores, his siblings Benedict, Sr. Ursula S.C. (Jo Ann), Richard, and Edward, and his mother in law Eleanor (Constantine) Cox.

Visitation will take place on Friday, October 21st from 2:00 to 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service to be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Roy J. Kaul Funeral Home located at 28433 Jefferson Ave. (at Martin Rd.) in Saint Clair Shores. A Holy Mass of Resurrection will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 22nd at St. Paul on the Lake Roman Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd. in Grosse Pointe Farms, with the Rev. Jack Fabian officiating. Private internment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the family to be distributed to charities of their choice or the Companions of Christ the Lamb P.O. Box 12 Paradise, Michigan 49768.