Douglas Paul Rheaume

Throughout his life he gathered endless friends and memories. He was a proud graduate of St Philomena in Detroit and Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods. He worked his way through college earning a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Computer Science from Wayne State University. Earning his way into a successful career with General Motors in Research at the Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. He was proud of his work on computer vision and software that was put to use in the production and design of cars, decades before the advent of smartphones and AI. Through his work at GM, he is credited with many patents, met people from all over the world, and loved to listen and learn from the experiences, and ideas of others. His quest for learning never stopped whether it was new technology, the latest public policy, improving his golf game, card games, or learning from Bob Vila on This Old House early on weekend mornings.

He retired from GM in November 2008 and enjoyed home improvement, travel, golf, family, friends and serving others. He especially enjoyed maximizing his impact any time he could combine any of those talents together for an adventure. For example, he joined the North Oakland Disaster Relief Team on several trips which allowed him to travel, use his home improvement skills, and provide service to many families recovering from natural disasters.

Doug was known as “one of a kind”, be it son, dad, grandpa, brother, cousin, uncle or friend to countless people who crossed his path. He may have called you Sam, George, Sally, Beautiful, or Angel which would always leave a smile on your face and in your heart. His reach was far and wide in this world creating a better place wherever he went. Many of the younger generations cherished being greeted by him with teasing and sarcastic nick-names to help them overcome any natural shyness they may have around extended family. That engagement helped him earn the title of “Uncle” from many over the decades as an exception to the strict rules of family trees.

The extended family became familiar with the summer weekend fun that included golf cart rides, cottage projects, beach time, bonfires, family meals and games at many of the family cottages near Lexington, Michigan on Lake Huron. He will be remembered as one of several “foreman” on the job for those projects and taught us how to share different ideas, but work together for a common goal. He will be missed by all. The family is grateful for the memories and honored to share those memories with future generations to keep his spirit alive.

Doug is survived by his loving mother Shirley Rheaume, children Kurt Rheaume (Michelle) and Connie Wonner (Bill), siblings Mary Rheaume, Mark (Kathy) Rheaume, Tom (Gina) Rheaume and Renee (Bill) Victor, eight grandchildren Tyler, Justin, Joey, Lizzy, Emily, Peter, Billy and Kainan. He is also blessed to have dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins spanning three generations.

A visitation for Douglas will be held Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236. A rosary will occur Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236.

An instate will occur Monday, November 6, 2023 at 9:30 AM until time of funeral mass at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 467 Fairford, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. The funeral will be live streamed at http://OLSOS.org/posts/funeral-mass