Frank Christopher Janowski

Frank Christopher Janowski, age 89, passed peacefully to eternal life on January 28th, 2014 at Troy Beaumont Hospital. He was born July 27, 1924 in Detroit to the late Martin and Victoria (Jonak) Janowski, was raised in River Rouge and graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School after serving in the Marines in WWII as an aviation mechanic. He later married his wife Patricia and together they raised their four boys in Sterling Heights and Higgins Lake. Frank was a true craftsman and 'go to' guy for making or fixing most anything mechanical. He worked for 37 years at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren as a metal model maker helping hand craft the new prototype cars four years in advance of their release. His passion for airplanes and flying brought him to the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in in Oshkosh every summer for over 25 years. In his retirement years he found pleasure building with friends a P-51 midget Mustang kit plane. A tremendous father and grandfather, Frank never allowed his life to be cluttered with distractions that would take time away from family. In 1958 he and his wife Pat purchased a cabin at Higgins Lake that served to create fond family memories throughout our early lives. He found hours each day to work with his sons on projects in the garage or sporting with a ball as we grew. No matter their age, he lowered himself to the eye level of his grandchild and often played cards, catch, or other games with them for hours. With a Marine like spirit, Frank was loyal, honest, and a source of encouragement to those around him. Throughout his life he remained true to his Catholic faith. He did little things with great love and quietly came to the aid of family members and close friends when needed. Some years ago, a son recalls visiting Frank in the hospital and listening as Frank pleaded with his doctor to let him donate his liver to his nephew in a room across the hall. More recently when asked if he wanted to continue to fight the cancer, Frank responded "yes, if it is inexpensive. I don't want use health benefits someone else could use". Frank is survived by his four sons: Mark of Mobile, AL, Chris of Bend, OR, Frank (Teresa) of Eureka, CA, and Brian (Laura) of Marquette, MI; one brother Joe, and two sisters Wanda Nogiec and Helen Czaplicki; seven grandchildren, Kevin, Alyssa, Logan, Julia, Anna, Matthew and Emily; two great grandchildren, Isabella and Elise; also numerous brothers and sisters in-law, nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Bulley), his brothers; John, Ed, and Walter, and sister Mary Rompel. All family is invited to a memorial luncheon in Frank's honor on Sunday, February 9th, at 2pm at the Rhapsody Restaurant in Southgate (734-283-9622, www.therhapsodyrestaurant.com). Visitation is from 9:00am to 9:50am, Tuesday, February 11th at St. Ephrem's Catholic Church in Sterling Heights (586-264-1230). Following visitation at 10am, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with the Pastor Rev. Ronald Milligan officiating. A lunch will be provided following the Mass in the parish hall. A prayer service will be held at 2:30pm, Tuesday, February 11, at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan just prior to military burial. Please contact the Wujek-Calcaterra funeral home in Sterling Heights for further details (586)826-8550. The family would like to thank all those who accompanied and advocated for Frank as his health declined especially Ken and Clare Lockwood, and Shawn and Maria Dolan. In lieu of flowers please make a memorial gift in the name of Frank to Maryknoll, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302 or BoysTown, 200 Flanagan Boulevard, P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010.

Frank Christopher Janowski

July 27, 1924 - January 28, 2014