Dennis Jay Pickl

Dennis "Denny" Jay Pickl, age 76 of Highland, Michigan, was born on December 31, 1945, and passed away on February 5, 2022, after a brave battle with Covid-19. Beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Denny is survived by his daughter Deborah (Pickl) Huston, grandchildren Claire and Alexander Huston, sister-in-law Cherlyn Yaschen, “adopted” daughter Debbie Hess, his nieces, Carrie (Pickl) McKissic, and Maria (Pickl) Stieve, and many other precious family members. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Nancy (Kushiner) Pickl, parents Kenneth A. and Marian H. Pickl, as well as his sister Karen, brother Kenneth A. II, and nephew Brian A. Pickl.

Denny was born in Sherman, Texas, as the second son of an Air Force Lt. Colonel and flight instructor during WW II. He and his military family moved frequently before settling in Detroit, Michigan in the 1950s. He graduated from Thomas M. Cooley High School in 1964 where he met the love of his life, Nancy, who he would later marry and have one daughter. He went on to attend Wayne State University and earned an associate's degree in psychology while working for UPS before joining the United States Army as a Reservist in the National Guard.

His true love and passion, however, was music, as he was a truly gifted classical pianist from a very young age - playing many solo concerts as well as joining various bands around the Detroit area. He eventually became the Musical Director for The Dearborn Inn and Henry Ford Foundation, where he played seven nights a week for many years.

In 1973, Denny and his family moved to Highland, Michigan, and eventually purchased a home on Duck Lake. There, he became well known as the “Piano Man” and taught music to many adult and youth students in the area. After he left The Dearborn Inn, he joined his brother Ken’s company as a sales manager in Lansing but continued to play the piano every weekend as the house musician at The Fenton Hotel.

In addition to music, Denny enjoyed spending time boating on Duck Lake and instilled his love of water-skiing and fishing to his daughter and many, many neighbor kids. He was also an avid vegetable gardener and became known for having the best tomatoes, zucchini, and squash in town - often donating his abundance to the local Senior Center. Later in life, Denny fulfilled a life-long dream by earning his private pilot’s license and joined the Walled Lake Flying Club.

Denny will be remembered for his fervent patriotism, dry sense of humor, enduring love of the water, sunshine, and sunsets, and for always being ready to jump in and help a neighbor with any need great or small. But his generous and caring heart for his family, his everlasting love for his late wife Nancy, and the memories of him pouring out his soul on his piano for all to enjoy will be the light that carries us through the sadness of losing him. Rest in peace dear Denny...we will never forget you!

A funeral service will take place on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Highland Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 3295 E. Highland Road, Highland 48356. Denny's family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following cause which was close to Denny’s heart:

https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/Dennis-Pickl-Memorial