Henry Joseph Augustyniak

Henry Joseph Augustyniak, age 93 of Warren, died Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Canterbury on the Lake Memory Care in Waterford Township, Michigan. He was born September 12, 1926 in Detroit, son of the late Joseph and the late Janivia (nee: Samoszewska) Augustyniak.

With thanks and praise from a grateful nation, we honor Henry for his service to our country during World War II. As a sailor in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, Henry was stationed aboard the USS Wayne, a Sumter Class Attack Transport ship whose primary assignments were in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations. Ultimately attaining the rank of Fireman First Class, Henry was part of the firefighting brigade aboard ship and worked with his fellow firefighters in keeping a watchful eye for the safety of the crew and the vessel. Having sailed two tours out to sea, Henry received his honorable discharge on July 12, 1946 after serving just shy of two years with the Navy. For the sacrifices made and his willingness to stand in harm’s way for the cause of freedom, we extend our posthumous gratitude to Henry for answering his call with patriotism in his heart, pride for his country, and a bravery which is beyond all imagination. He was truly a part of the “Greatest Generation” our country has ever seen.

Over the next seven years, following his return from the Navy, Henry would resume his life here at home and go about his natural routines and affairs,…until fate stepped in and changed everything. Life for Henry would never be the same after meeting the girl who would sweep him off his feet, the beautiful Miss Mary Pendrak. Dating led to romance, and romance led them both to the altar of marriage where they exchanged their vows to become husband & wife,…the year was 1953. In 2005, Mary would precede Henry in death, but not before sharing a wonderful 52 years together raising a family and growing deeper in love with each passing day. They would call Warren their home, and resided in that same house for the duration of their marriage. Henry remained there until his illness called him elsewhere, but proudly homesteaded in the same house for over 63 years.

Like many of the men back in Henry’s day, work opportunities often entailed knocking on the door at one of the automotive giants (or their affiliates) and selling yourself as their next-best hire,…which is exactly what Henry did at the Dodge Main Plant in Detroit where he was offered a job and would spend the next 18 years until an unexpected layoff threw a monkey wrench in the works. So he found himself looking for work once again. Still focused on the automotive industry, luck was on his side when the folks at General Motors perused his work history and opened the doors for Henry to come work there,…a position he held and would keep with GM until his retirement with them following 23 years of dedicated and loyal service. Upon his retirement, Henry last assignment was that of Metal Model Maker.

Throughout Henry’s working years, time away from the job was spent in a variety of ways. But perhaps there was no greater passion for him than the joy he found in nurturing his babies in the backyard,…his Apple Trees. They were Henry’s pride & joy and a wonderful reflection of what a little tender-loving-care can produce. A mix of the Red & Golden Delicious varieties,…Henry stumbled across a bit of a miracle when he fused a branch of each of the trees to create a hybrid that resembled a little of each of the varieties, both red and yellow. Yet, for all who knew Henry, it is no surprise how invested he was in caring for his trees. And nobody knows better than his neighbors how delighted he was in each harvest season as he was quite generous in sharing his wealth of apples with everybody. With Henry around, nobody was in want for apples.

When it came to his favorite pastimes, #1 on that list would have definitely been his love for Ice Fishing. Of course, it was a wee bit of a seasonal sport,…but a favorite of Henry’s, nonetheless. And when he chose to have the boys (his sons) tag along, most anything could have happened…like the day his youngest fell through the ice. Just imagine his brother’s misgivings when Dad looked at him and told him to take half of his clothes off and give them to his brother? Alas, all these years later and there are still chuckles being had with the regaling of that story. But over the years, Henry did manage to haul a lot more out of the water than his son.

Henry’s children reflected on the  wonderful memories they share of the many Sunday afternoon drives Dad took them on. It didn’t necessarily mean they were headed anywhere special,…the special part is that they were together, the way Sunday’s used to be for families back in the day. Getting in the car often meant it was time for Henry to pay one of his weekly visits to the parents’ houses, something for which he was most devout, and he was close to both sets. Longer trips in the family car might have entailed a visit to his family in the Montreal area,…perhaps a visit to Mary’s family in Pennsylvania,…or even better yet on the family vacations to Gossard’s Cottage up in Port Austin, Michigan, just off the coast of Lake Huron. There was definitely some summer fun to be had up there.

Even more fun on the road for Henry were his trips to the casino-du-jour. Known for his love of “shooting craps,”…it might have meant heading to downtown Detroit to one of the trio of gambling venues there,…or while on one of his trips through Michigan, some of his favorite places were at the Little River Casino in Manistee, Turtle Creek Casino in Traverse City, Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant,…or for a more social event, Henry loved climbing aboard the “Go With George” bus as it whisked him off to gambling heavens galore. Henry simply loved his craps wherever he could get it.

Henry will be remembered also for his love of tinkering. He was always looking for new projects to engage in or things to repair. He was the consummate Mr. Fix-It and could tackle most any job,…the harder, the better. Henry was a bit of a perfectionist, as well, and lived by the motto; “do it right or don’t do it at all.” To do it right meant education was a must, and Henry was a huge proponent of his children and grandchildren receiving a good education. From seeing that his children attended Catholic school in their earlier years, to encouraging further education in their post high school choices,…Henry simply wanted his children, and theirs, to become all they could be and to give their best shot at grabbing that brass ring.

The last surviving cousin & patriarch on his mother’s side, Henry was a devoted family man,…and an incredible BFF to his best friend of over 60 years, George Machak,…who might as well had been family, too. Being most proud of his Polish heritage, Henry loved putting many of the old world traditions into play, thereby respecting his ancestors as well as having one helluva lot of fun that just seems to accompany anything related to a Polish tradition at the holidays. Part of that fun was always in the food,…like the pies & oatmeal cookies that Henry learned to bake from scratch. He had become known and respected for baking a world class apple pie,…of course, with the apples from his own little orchard out back.

Henry will be fondly remembered, as well, for his servants heart and giving spirit. As the old adage states; “he was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back.” He sought to help whenever and wherever he could,…and this was never more true, nor witnessed, than in the care he exuded toward his beloved Mary during her period of illness. “In sickness and in health” truly meant something to this groom, and it was something to behold to watch it work itself out in love through each emanation of Henry’s promise. He was her caregiver,…but moreover, he was her “husband.”

A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Henry lived life to the fullest,…and he showed the way all along the way. Through his lessons, admonishments, encouragements and love, he truly was a “Patriarch with Props.” We will miss that sweet aroma of his pipe emitting that familiar cherry tobacco scent that filled the room, and how it enveloped you like a blanket from the cold. Yet even more enveloping will be the reality of just how proud he was of his grandchildren. Even more than the reward he received from the apples in his garden, his grandchildren were the fruits from the family tree that Henry nurtured with an indescribable care and love,…and that love will truly be missed.  

Henry was the beloved husband of the late Mary. Dearest father of Barbara (Philip) Kozlowski, Ken (Lori) Augustyniak, and Alan (Maureen) Augustyniak. Loving grandfather of Michael (Becky), Matthew (Ashley), Patrick, Christopher, Nicholas, Emily, Adam, Sarah, and great-grandfather of Sophie. Brother of the late Edward Augustyniak.

Visitation for Henry will be held Monday, November 11th from 3-9 pm, with a 7 pm Scripture Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren.

He will lie in state on Tuesday from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 14025 E. 12 Mile Road in Warren. Officiating the funeral liturgy will be Rev. Fr. Bogdan Milosz.

Immediately following Mass, the U.S. Navy will render military honors in recognition of Mr. Augustyniak’s service to our country. He will then be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033,…or to www.alz.org.

Please share memories of Henry at his guest book below.