Spiridione Fenech 95, passed away on 10/8/2020. He was known to everyone as Speed and his wit and humor were as endearing as his nickname. Born in Detroit, Speed attended Cass Tech High School while working at his father’s store. At the age of 19 he enlisted into the Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII as a gunner’s mate aboard the USS Hilo. A proud veteran his entire life, he was seldom seen without his WWII Navy veteran’s hat.
After returning from the service, he went to work at Ford Motor Company and became a manager in the Parts Division. It was here that he met the love of his life, the beautiful Lila Fenech. They were married when Speed was 26 and Lila 19. In the 69 years that followed they had 5 children and 6 grandchildren that they adored. Speed retired from Ford with over 30 years of service and eventually he and Lila migrated to Florida.
Speed and Lila’s greatest passion was their family and extended family. They often visited and were always there for special events in their family’s lives. They also loved to travel and they saw the world together including Australia, Alaska, Malta, New Zealand, Japan, China, Europe, Turkey, Canada and the Caribbean to name just a few. In later years, they traveled with their family and often made lasting friends along the way.
Speed was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. He was a loyal Detroit sports team fan and a crossword wizard. He loved to make people laugh. If Speed was present, and there was laughter heard in a room, chances are that Speed was in the center of it. He raised a family with love and a strong sense of morals, responsibility, and joy. He was an intelligent, brave, and loving man, and his well-lived life is an endearing legacy for all that knew him.
Spiridione is predeceased by his wife, Lila Fenech; parents, Beatrice Radmill, Spiridione Fenech and step father Joseph Frendo; brothers, Edward (Yolanda), Ralph (Geraldine), Paul (Donna). He is survived by his sister, Ricarda (Rickey) Diedo; five children, Diane (Robert) Webster, Joy (Thomas) Thrun, Gregory (Martha) Fenech, Carol (Michael) Furlong , John Fenech; and six grandchildren, Joy, Spiridione (Speedy), Emma, Brianna, Gregory, and Logan.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18