Steve Patrishkoff

Steve Patrishkoff, age 97 of Warren, died at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens on July 15, 2021. He was born May 11, 1924 in Hamtramck, Michigan to his late parents, John and Kata (nee: Strapka) Patrishkoff.

Since his father suffered lung damage in WWI and was hospitalized often, Steve became the father-like figure over his younger siblings.  He helped his mother by tending to the children and teaching them to help.  As teens he and his brothers would go to the Rose Gardens farm that was owned by their friend’s brother.  They'd pick crops and also bring them home for their family.  He learned to drive at 14 coming home on the dirt roads from there. He graduated from Hamtramck High School.

He enlisted in the Navy and was a Petty Officer Third Class, serving as a Mail Carrier on the U.S.S. Crater. He served from 1944 – 1946. He loved his job because he was allowed off the ship to collect mail from all the islands. He drove a Jeep around. He was well liked by his shipmates for all the mail he delivered. He always remembered to bring a banana back for the ship’s mascots, two monkey's.  Before the end of the war his ship was hit, losing 2 of the 3 engines. He and his friend embraced as they thought this was the end. Luckily, they made it back to port on the one engine. 

He met Emilie Bartnik before he enlisted. She needed a ride to Belle Isle with her friends. They soon became more than friends. When he was stationed in California for training, he mailed back an engagement ring and a proposal. They married right after the war on June 8, 1946 and honeymooned in Pontiac and Saginaw. They lived in a flat above Emilie’s parents on Ferry Street. They had three children there – Nancy, John and Mary. They then moved to Coram Street on the northeast side of Detroit. The last daughter, Carol, was born there. With a larger family, they made the last move to Warren.

He worked at Interstate Tool for many years. He then had the opportunity to work at the GM Tech Center. He was promoted to Supervisor/Director over the Machine & Tool, Experimental Division. He loved his job especially when he was helping his fellow workers. He was responsible for upgrading to computers. He retired in 1987 so he could spend more time with Emilie.

One of his favorite places to vacation was Caseville. They rented a cottage for two weeks and loved to invite family to spend time with them. He enjoyed shopping for fresh corn and cooking great feasts. They also enjoyed traveling to Florida, Carol and Chris’ cottage, Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, Vegas, and Hawaii, as well as visiting his sister and her family in New Jersey.  He especially loved going to Frankenmuth, inviting any family that was around to a great chicken dinner and continued going to Frankenmuth with Mary after Emilie died.

He never stopped being the patriarch of the family to his children, grand-children, and great grand-children. He always supported his children’s endeavors and was proud of their accomplishments.

In his later years, he loved riding in the car saluting any flag he saw. He received a singing bear from his daughter, Nancy. It sang Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah and he loved singing that song. He sang that song in the hospital. He also threw out kisses and God Blesses to his children and his nurses who he called his angels. He truly loved life and people. He never preached, yet lived by example.

He chose to be a Catholic. He loved God and looked forward to Sunday mornings and going to church with family. He prayed every morning and night, asking for God’s Blessing on those he cared about. His last request was to go to church and then out to dinner with his family.

He was selfless and caring. He loved greatly and was loved greatly. God Bless, Amen.

Steve was the beloved husband of the late Emilie. Loving father of Nancy (James) Thibault, John (Denise) Patrishkoff, Mary (David) Klonowski, and Carol (Chris) Snopek. Cherished grandfather of Michael (Susan) Thibault and Jeffrey (Karen) Thibault. Adored great-grandfather of Lindsey, Emily, Raquel, Brandon, and Sydney Thibault. Dear brother of Mary Bocka. Predeceased by siblings Lawrence Patrishkoff, Sophie Mrozowsky, Peter Patrishkoff, Suzie Patrishkoff, and Ana Patrishkoff.

Visitation for Steve will be held Wednesday, July 21st from 4-8pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI 48093. He will lie in state on Thursday from 9:00 am until the time of his Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Mark Catholic Church, 4401 Bart Avenue, Warren, MI 48091. 

Please share memories of Steve at his guest book below.