Gerald Francis Szymanski

Gerald Francis Szymanski, age 85 of Warren, died Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren. He was born April 29, 1934 in Detroit, son of the late Frank and the late Angeline (nee: Wojtowiak) Szymanski.

With thanks and praise from a grateful nation, we pay homage to Gerald for his service to our country immediately following the Korean War. With much of his time spent in Seoul, South Korea, Gerald answered his call with pride and served with bravery and valiance as a soldier in the U.S. Army. Attaining the rank of Specialist 4th Class, he was part of the 560th Medical Company SEP where he was trained as a Medic. For the sacrifices made and his willingness to stand in harm's way on our behalf, we extend our posthumous gratitude to Specialist Szymanski and honor his esteemed patriotism for our country. 

Having proudly graduated from St. Thomas High School prior to being called up by Uncle Sam, Gerald’s return home found him seeking to further what he started which led him to enroll at Macomb Community College where his studies focused on business & engineering, both in which he received an Associate’s Degree. With both degrees in hand, Gerald hit the bricks and went seeking employment, and it wasn’t very long before he was offered a position with General Dynamics at their Land Systems facility in Sterling Heights. This opportunity for Gerald would become a longstanding career as a Cost Estimator, and he would ultimately retire as a Senior Systems Analyst for the government contractor. It was a prestigious career that instilled Gerald with a vast amount of pride.

Gerald worked hard to earn some of the joyful and beneficial things in life,…like the family cottage that he and his family enjoyed in Lewiston, Michigan.  Nestled deep in the heart of the Mitten, it provided an “up north” experience that is still reflected upon with elation. When the stresses of the world came knocking,…it was time to head to Lewiston. When the need to get back to nature came calling,…it was Lewiston time. Whatever the emotion or the reason behind it all,…Lewiston was often the answer for a little escape from reality. It also provided Gerald with the opportunity to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes,…the game of golf. Though he had many chances to golf elsewhere around the state as a member of his employer’s golf league, Garland Golf Course in Lewiston offered a backdrop of beauty unlike any other he had ever played. And Garland was also quite memorable for Gerald as that is where he attained his pinnacle bragging rights of the coveted “Hole-in-One.” An achievement most golfer’s simply dream about making, Gerald watched as his ball made its arc…hit the ground…and rolled sweetly into that hole. It was a thing of beauty.

Bowling was the other sport that infused Gerald with countless hours of fun over the years. There was just something especially entertaining about getting a bunch of family or friends around the ball return machine, eggin’ each other on as ball after ball was rolled down the lane in search of that elusive “300 Game.” It was a feat that never saw the light of day, but a sport that provided many wonderful moments of friendship building while getting a little exercise in the process.

As for a bit of sports on the telly,…there was no greater banner waver than Gerald when it came to his coveted Detroit Tigers and Red Wings. Two of the pinnacle members of our “Sports in the D,”…the Boys of Summer and the Boys in the Winged Wheel provided Gerald a wide world of sporting highlights, with cups and trophy’s to prove that Detroit can muster up some Champs,…especially in their array of devoted fans.

Travel was another passion of Gerald’s, and something he shared and enjoyed extensively with his family. Together, with his wife and seven daughters in tow, they spent many occasions traveling around the Mitten and taking in some of the splendors that set Michigan apart from the rest. There were also the many trips they enjoyed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee,…and one of the most memorable of all, the family trip to the tropical wonders of the Hawaiian Islands. Gerald knew there was a world out there with scenic pleasures to behold and he sought to share as much as he could in helping to create those memories to last a lifetime.

Gerald enjoyed many other hobbies as well, mostly just tinkering around the house and keeping his mind and hands busy. He was the consummate “Fix-It Man” and had skills of all kinds, natural gifts and strengths, like those that aided him in completing an addition to the family homestead. There was so much that instilled him with joy, but nothing quite as endearing and special as his sweet family. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Gerald had a great sense of humor and was often the one bringing smiles to the lives of others, both physically and internally. He was a caring man,…quite humble and loving to his family and many friends ~ it was all about family and love for Gerald.

Gerald was the beloved husband of Valerie. Dearest father of Kimberly (Willie) Hebert, Rebecca (Mark) Sackman, Dianna Szymanski, Deanna (Martin) Repine, Lisa (Erick) Stabler, Kristen (Cary) Fuller, and Carrie Keith. Loving grandfather of Meghan Hebert, Alex Hebert, Nikki (Tyler) Shelley, Brett Sackman, Marc Sackman, Taylor Repine, Chase Repine, Devin Stabler, Bailey Stabler, Meranda Fuller, Tyler Fuller, Ethan Fuller, Joshua Keith, Benjamin Keith, David Keith, and great-grandfather of Kai Shelley. Brother of Richard (the late Wanda) Szymanski, and preceded in death by siblings, Edward, Dorothy, Andrew, Florian, and Raymond.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren.

Please share memories of Gerald at his guest book below.