Denny Tiani

In 1935, at the age of 15, he immigrated to the United States, joining his father in Dearborn, Michigan. His mother and sister would come soon after. In 1940 he graduated from Fordson High School and gained his U.S. citizenship. After high school he became an apprentice at the Henry Ford Trade School, and then continued on to work at Ford as a tool and die maker alongside his father Alfonso. A short time later he took a job in tool and die making at Special Machine and Engineering in Southfield Michigan where he worked until retirement. At Special Machine and Engineering, he also became a Chief Union Steward, playing an important role in negotiations for the United Auto Workers. He was always particularly proud of the work he did during that time.

Denny met his would-be wife Doris (Oplinger) at Henry Ford Hospital in 1943, with Doris as his nurse. They were married four months later, on March 2, 1944, and started their life together in Dearborn and later in Dearborn Heights where they raised 5 children. After 77 years of marriage, Doris passed away a year ago, on October 11, 2021. Just prior to his retirement, Denny and Doris moved to Hamburg, Michigan, where they tended to 5 acres of land with hard work and a natural green thumb. Denny was an avid gardener and orchardist and continued to cultivate a large garden and orchard late into his 90s. When the zucchinis started coming in abundance, he would share his harvests with his family, his neighbors, and even the teller at his bank or the waiters at the local Coney Island.

On a midsummer's eve Denny and Doris would often be sitting on the porch snapping green beans. If he wasn’t working in the garden, he was out fishing on the Chain of Lakes with his old, but mostly trusty, boat. In the spring, he loved to harvest dandelion greens to make salad. The skills he gained as a tool and die maker throughout his career were put into practice in many projects, tinkering, and inventions around their homestead. Throughout his whole life, his Italian heritage remained a definitive and important part of who he was. He loved telling stories about his childhood years in Italy, the memorable voyage across the ocean as a teenager, and his first awkward years in the United States adjusting to his new life. His storytelling was captivating, entertaining, and beloved by his family and friends. Many holidays were spent sitting around the table, eating polenta and listening to Denny tell stories.

Denny was preceded in death by his dear wife Doris, his sister Phyllis (the late Ralph) Marinelli and his parents Elvira and Alfonso Tiani. His legacy will be carried on by his children Vera Tiani and her husband Dan Shuppert, Denis Tiani, Gary Tiani and his wife Rosemary Klein, Donna Whitney and her husband John Whitney, Eugene Tiani and his wife Peggy Tiani; his 11 grandchildren, Kristen Lawless, Sophia (Christian) Wojcinski, Violet (Nick Raterman)Tiani, Eben Whitney, Malaika (Matthew Haarklou) Whitney, Christopher Tiani, Kendra Tiani, Elise Tiani, Tony Whitney, Max Tiani, Olivia Tiani; his 10 great grandchildren, Justin (Nicole) Ross, Cory (Alex) Ross, Kyle Ross, Derek Ross, Leila Holsten, Able Whitney Haarklou, Daisy Raterman, Quil Whitney Haarklou, August Raterman, and Charlotte Wojcinski; two great great grandsons, Tell Ross and Revere Ross; and nephews Bill (the late Chris) Marinelli, Bob (Anne Garee) Marinelli, Kenny (Vicky) Oplinger, Ed (Sandy) Oplinger.

Denny was the kind of person that made an impression on everyone he met. He was kind, dedicated, generous, charming, encouraging, and steadfast in how he carried himself, how he cared for those around him, and how he lived each day. His are big shoes to fill, and his smile and booming voice will be missed dearly, though we rejoice in knowing that his was a long, long life, well- lived and full.

A memorial visitation for Denny will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 3410 Broad St, Dexter, Michigan 48130. A memorial service will occur Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI. A a luncheon will follow will occur Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI.

A memorial visitation for Denny will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 3410 Broad St, Dexter, Michigan 48130. A memorial service will occur Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI. A a luncheon will follow will occur Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Rd, Dexter, MI.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Denny's memory may be made to Webster United Church of Christ , www.websterchurch.org; and The Residence of Arbor Hospice, www.arborhospice.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hosmermuehlig.com for the Tiani family.