Robert Anthony Sikorski

Robert Anthony Sikorski, age 92, died Sunday, November 24, 2019 in Sterling Heights. He was born May 7, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Anthony S. Sikorski, and the late Eve (nee: Stoinski) Sikorski.

Born just two years shy of the “official” start of the Great Depression, Robert attended St. Thomas Aquinas School until he was old enough to begin pitching in to help his family through some difficult times. Robert’s stories recalled how he often walked 5 miles to take his place in the bread lines to obtain food,…and other times how he would walk even further from their home in Detroit to the 13 Mile Road & Van Dyke Avenue area of Warren to fish for dinner in one of the creeks or rivers where they were biting. Life was certainly not easy or convenient in those days, but Robert took it in stride and pressed on each day with a fresh start and renewed determination. It was that determination to survive which led to his incredibly strong work ethics, principles that went before him in everything he did. One of the profound examples was through his job as a pipefitter for the Uniroyal Tire Company, a career that spanned over 20 years and found Robert working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. To many of his friends at the Dodge Truck Plant, he was better known as “Old 84”…a reference to the hours & days he worked each week.

Robert was a mere young man peering through the window at the Better Made store in Detroit one day when he espied a beautiful young woman,…and that’s all it took ~ it was love at first sight! Her name was Genevieve Stec, and a simple glance swept Robert right off his feet. As Genevieve (or “Babe,” Robert’s term of endearment for his sweetheart) often mentioned, and was quoted, “his eyes went Ba-Ding” when they caught her through the window,…a life would never be the same. That love-glance turned to romance, which ultimately led the two lovebirds to the altar and the exchanging of their vows, a marriage that began in 1947 and lasted 67 years until Babe’s passing. Following their nuptials, Mr. & Mrs. Sikorski got in the car and shared their first of the many travel adventures they would come to enjoy as they headed to their honeymoon destination of Niagara Falls.

The newlywed’s first cozy abode would be a duplex shared with Robert’s parents on Curt Street in Detroit. It is there that they welcomed home their firstborn child, Ken, in 1948. Robert & Babe spent the next 8 years in the duplex until taking a dip in the pool of home ownership when, in 1956, they bought their first house in Detroit. The telling fact about these new homeowners was how they managed to scrimp, save and secure their first house, mortgage free, in just one year after moving in. This new residence would welcome the next two children into the fold, a family unit who became devout members of the St. Raymond Community of believers.

Mind you,…we’ve already covered the extensive hours that Robert devoted to his job. But those “hard working hands” just couldn’t lay idle, so he took upon some extracurricular activities to fill the gap when not at the factory. It was in the 1960’s that he decided to build a new family cottage, himself, on Lake St. Clair,…a cottage that would take the place of the one that suffered irreparable damage from previous tornadoes that swept through the area. It took some time, but his hard work ethics and determination paid off once again when the family regained their home away from home on the lake. And yes,…once the cottage was complete, Robert was once again in search of the next project to keep his hands busy,…so he decided to build a boat to accompany the new family cottage. And not just any boat, this one was adorned with one of the finest of woods, mahogany. It must have been a sight to behold upon its completion.

Ask most anybody who knew Robert what one of his favorite pastimes was and you would probably get a resounding,…”travel.” And that’s pretty much what he & Babe spent their golden years enjoying. Their scenic excursions began in the 1970’s and included a variety of travel modes. From the trips throughout the United States from California to Maine, and south to the state of Florida, there was little of America they didn’t see while traveling the country. Then there were the cruises they sailed, 25 in all, to ports of call within the Caribbean, South America, Mexica, Bermuda, Hawaii and Alaska,…with Alaska being at the top of his list of favorite destinations visited.

In 1992, after many years of loyal and dedicated employment at Uniroyal, Robert decided to finally accept his well-deserved retirement as he headed off into the next chapter in life as a Golden Warrior. Though he no longer had an actual position, Robert did inherit one of the most precious of jobs,…his role of Grandpa and helping to raise his grandchildren until they were ready to attend school. The job came with its own criteria list, but also with rewards that Robert was speechless to convey. Being with his grandbabies was one of his life’s greatest treasures.

Throughout his life, Robert enjoyed a number of pastimes that helped balance out all that work he performed. Referred to more affectionately as his “loves” in life,…he loved his beer, and it was never more tasty than when poured at his favorite drinking establishment, the All-Sports Bar. He also loved his Cadillacs. All of that workin’ hard stuff sure paid off each time he rolled off the lot in one of his shiny, new Caddy’s,…and keeping them shiny was just another of his side hustles that kept his paws busy. Robert loved visiting the casino, too. He so enjoyed giving Ol’ Lady Luck a run for her mony, especially when he sat down for a little Black Jack action. He loved playing card games, and Black Jack came with its own unique and intriguing fascination. The other card games included Pinochle, Euchre, and Tripoli. It really didn’t matter the game being played, Robert simply enjoyed sitting around the card table with family or friends, engaged in a bit of friendly competition and conversation,…and maybe an adult beverage or two. Rolling the die in a game of Yahtzee and piecing together a jigsaw puzzle were also some sought-after pleasures that filled his time.

From a more sporting aspect,…Robert will be remembered for his love of hunting and fishing. A true Michigander and outdoorsman at heart, he had a marksman’s eye when honed in on his prey,…and he was our resident Mort Neff when it came to reeling in the catch of the day. Always in search of the biggest rack or the largest fish, perhaps a great selling point for both sports is that they afforded him a wonderful sense of down times between the action,…those precious moments of peace and serenity before the call-to-action. And Robert loved his watersports as well. Even into his late 70’s, he was still enjoying his three favorites,…snorkeling, parasailing and jet-skiing. He kept in great shape because he knew that remaining engaged in either of those activities was going to demand the strength and stamina of a young buck,…and he remained just that.

Yet for as strong, hard working and playful as he was, Robert also shared quite the soft spot when it came to his loving family. There was much about life that he loved, but none-so-much as the love and devotion he bore for those most precious to his heart and soul. Family meant the world to Robert, and the wonderful moments he helped to create are the memories that will last a lifetime. He lived large, laughed often, and loved much. The legacy he leaves is rich and pure, and is sure to be embraced with each reflection shared by those who were blessed to know him and be loved by him. He touched a multitude of hearts and souls this side of Heaven, may he now enjoy his rewards on the other side. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally.                

Robert was the beloved husband of the late Genevieve “Babe”. Dear father of Kenneth (Connie) Sikorski, Cynthia Sikorski (Tom Kohut), and Gary (Sandy) Sikorski. Loving Grandfather of Jill Sikorski, Kevin Kohut, Ken Kohut, and Great-Grandfather of Tyler and Tabitha. Brother of Leroy Sikorski.             

Visitation for Robert will be held on Sunday, December 1st from 3:00 pm-9:00 pm, with a 6:00 pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren.

Mr. Sikorski will lie in state on Monday, December 2nd, 9:00 am at St. Blasé Catholic Church in Sterling Heights until time of the Funeral Mass at  9:30 am.

Memorial donations are appreciated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at www.stjude.org

Please share memories of Robert at his guest book below.