Louis Benjamin Szal

Louis B. Szal, age 99 of Warren, died Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Sanctuary at the Abbey Nursing Home in Warren. He was born on June 28, 1910 in Passaic, New Jersey, the son of the late Andrew and the late Mary (nee: Taras) Szal. He was the last survivng of eight children. Louis valued education and instilled that in his six children. Gifted in mathematics, (even at an advanced age) he would lull himself to sleep by mentally multiplying double-digit numbers. He attended Syracuse University on a math scholarship at age 16. Transferring to the University of Detroit, he graduated among the top ten in Aeronautical Engineering. In the 1930's, Louis was a pioneer in the nascent carbide cutting tool industry. These metal power tools could retain their cutting edge at tremendously high temperatures and performed well against extremely hard cutting surfaces. Innovative design in this field was critical to the manufacturing needed for our success in World War II. His major employer was Super Tool Company where he became Vice President of Production in charge of three plants. Long after retirement, he was still contacted by head-hunters with job offers. At his last job, he was "laid off" at 81 years of age. Polish-Catholic heritage and traditions were highly valued by Louis. He met his wife, Irene at Lira, a polish dancing and singing club. Christmas at the Szal house always involved singing of Polish carols with his brother, Stanley (cigar in mouth) at the piano. Louis was a devout member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Parish since its storefront inception. He was also a voracious reader and enjoyed building model airplanes and sailboats. Yet, without a doubt, his wife and children always came first, as per his Polish heritage. Louis is survived by Irene, his loving wife of 69 years, and their six children; Roger, George, Alan, Diana (Tom) Van Loon, Elaine, and Brian (Martha). Dear grandfather of Amy, David, Lindsay, Jessica, Mackenzie, William, Clifton, Kevin, Kristen, Adam, Amma, and great-grandfather of Cameron, Makenna, Jacob, William, and Zyronnie. Visitation for Louis will be on Tuesday, June 22 from 3:00-9:00pm, with a 7:00pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Rd) in Warren. He will lie in state from 10:30am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 8200 Rolyat Street, Detroit, Michigan. Officiating will be Louis' son, Father George Szal. Interment will follow at St. Clement Cemetery in Center Line, Michigan. Memorial donations may be directed to: Right to Life of Michigan, P.O. Box 901, Grand Rapids, MI 49509 - or - Priests for Life, P.O. Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314. Please share memories of Louis at his guest book.