In Memory of

Joseph

"Joe"

Szymusiak

Obituary for Joseph "Joe" Szymusiak

Joseph Michael Szymusiak, 92, of Quincy, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Maple Lawn Care Facility in Coldwater.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, August 7, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater with Fr. Paul Redmond officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Quincy. Visitation will take place from 10:00 – 11:00 AM prior to the funeral mass at the church. The family is being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Joseph was born March 5, 1925 in Lorain Ohio to Michael and Angeline (Solak) Szymusiak. After graduating from Lorain high school, he sailed on the Great Lakes as a wheelsman for Pittsburgh Steel Company.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served on the heavy cruiser USS Witchita in the Pacific war theater and took part in more than a dozen campaigns. His campaign decorations include the American Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation, two battle stars, Asiatic Theater Ribbon with six stars, Okinawa Ribbon with one star and the Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to sailing the Great Lakes.
In 1948 he moved to the Detroit area. There, under the GI Bill of Rights, he enrolled in the Building Trades Union School as an apprentice carpenter. As a journeyman carpenter he worked on residential and commercial construction projects and for the State of Michigan.
Joe married Dorothy Otfinowski on October 21, 1950 in Detroit and made their home in Dearborn Heights. After his retirement they moved to their summer home on Marble Lake in Quincy Township.
He and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also visited many foreign countries in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.
Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting and serving meals of his freshly caught perch and blue gills to his friends and family. He also spent a great deal of time gardening, woodworking and doing projects for his family. He enjoyed all sports and since his three children graduated from the University of Michigan, he was a loyal and avid wolverine fan. In later years he played cards with friends at the senior center.
He was a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 113 Redford which later merged with Chapter 102 Trenton and a member of the Quincy American Legion. Joe was a faithful member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater since 1977.
Joe is survived by his wife and two sons Paul (Susan) Szymusiak of Farmington Hills, and James (Monica) Szymusiak of Dexter, his son-in-law Alan Mutnick of Mason, OH, his grandchildren Jennifer Szymusiak of Bellbrook, OH, Joseph (Heather) Szymusiak of Wheaton, IL, Michael Szymusiak of Zionsville, IN, Dr. John Szymusiak of Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Rachel Mutnick of North Liberty, IA and two great-grandchildren, Luke and Matthew Szymusiak.
Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Mutnick, his parents, three brothers and three sisters. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Quincy Library, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or the Humane Society of Branch County.