Marion "Mike" John Polakowski

Marion "Mike" J. Polakowski, age 94, died May 7, 2013 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Mike was born October 6, 1918 in Hamtramck, Michigan, son of the late John and the late Angeline (nee: Siezkow) Polakowski. Born and raised in Hamtramck, Mike was a proud graduate of Hamtramck High School. A few years later, his life took quite an unexpected turn when he was drafted to serve in the military,...a story that we'll visit later in this obirtuary. Following his return stateside, Mike's life took another momentus turn,...but" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...but" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...but" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...but this time for the good. Just home for 2 months, it was in August of 1946 that he watched his beloved Eleanore take that fateful walk down the aisle at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church as they were joined in marriage. It was the joining of two hearts that would go on to share over 67 years together,...building a home, raising a family, and growing deeper in love with each passing day. With over 40 years of dedicated service under his belt, Mike retired from the Ford Motor Company where he worked as a tool & die maker for the automotive giant. An integral part of the booming industry that put Detroit on the map, he extended the utmost in hard work ethics and loyalty to his job. When it came to pastimes, like many men, Mike enjoyed his sports,...and" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...and the name of the game was baseball. In his young adult years, he loved to play the game as much as watching it. And being a good Hamtramck boy, the obvious connection was for him to play on the Kowalski Sausage team. As for the big boys, there was no greater fan than Mike when it came to his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers. Another of Mike's favorite pastimes was found in his love of gardening. There was just something special about the care and nurturing he poured into his yard and garden that made it a thing of beauty and splendor for family and neighbors alike. Mike possessed a heart as big as the ocean,...and it was amazing how all of that passion could be found in a simple flower, nurtured about through his TLC.Perhaps most notable was Mike's tremendous care-giving spirit, a man of charity that knew no bounds. He was always attentive to the poor and did whatever he could whenever he could. From his work and support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to the various food banks and other charitable organizations he supported, Mike truly possessed the heart of a servant. Yet, without question, Mike's most profound attribute was found in his love of country,...the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">...the good ol' USA! Possessing the heart of a true patriot, the blood that surged through his body was not only red,...but white and blue as well. Many might ponder whether this came from his time in the war, and hence,...the story of Mike and his service to our country as a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II.Drafted in February of 1941, Mike was just 2 months away from being discharged when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor,...a fateful day when everybody's life changed. A few days later, he and his fellow compatriots would become part of the first major battle in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of operations,...the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines. After three months of warfare and massive bombings by the Japanese, the battle was lost and Mike was just one of the thousands of men who were captured and held by the aggressors. From the infamous 65 mile "Death March" he was forced to withstand,...to the untold and countless moments of hell and torture he was forced to endure, Mike witnessed many of his soldier buddies lose their personal battles,...but God gave him the strength and grace to make it through. From April 9, 1942 to September 4, 1945, his status of POW (Prisoner of War) was three and a half years of unimaginable tests,...but never did his spirit waver or faint. Until that glorious day of liberation, Mike stood firm and remained true to his American roots,...which was true until the day he passed. So it is, with thanks & praise from a grateful nation, that we pay homage to Mike for the incredible price he paid in serving our country,...the land of the free and the home of the brave because of warriors & patriots just like him! For the sacrifices made and the bravery he exuded, we honor Mike for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today because he was there.A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mike leaves behind a storehouse of wonderful and special memories that will keep him close with each thought and reflection that is shared. He touched a multitude of hearts and lives along the way and leaves a legacy of love that will be treasured always. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally.Mike was the beloved husband of Eleanore, and the dear father of Chris, Marty (Nancy), Monica (Gordy) Lawton, and the late Cindy (Tom) Kakareka. Loving grandfather of Jennifer (Brian), Tom, Michael, Katie, Mike, and Cameron. Visitation for Mike will be held on Thursday from 5-9pm and Friday from 2-9pm, with a 7pm Rosary 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 Saturday at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Church - Transfiguration Campus in Detroit. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. Please share memories of Mike at his memory book.