James Frank Gundel

GUNDEL, James “Jim” Frank. It is with heavy hearts we share the news of the unexpected and sudden departure of Jim Gundel on February 2, 2024 at the age of 71. Jim is survived by his beloved wife RoseMary (nee DiLisio) of 44 years. Adored father of Jennifer Gundel and Angela (Christopher) Badalucco. Cherished grandfather of Jenna, Giuseppina, and Zachary. Brother-in-law to Patricia DiLisio and Kim DiLisio; loving uncle of Angelo (Christine), Julia, Christie, Michael, Jonathon, Joseph (Rachel) and Jaclyn; great-uncle of Benjamin, Maya, and Mateo. Predeceased by his parents Frank and Rita, as well as his in-laws including the late Angelo and Giuseppina DiLisio, Mario DiLisio, and Joanne (John) Engel. Jim was an only child who was lucky enough to have so many cousins that were the brothers and sisters he never had. Jim grew up with a love of cars. He became an auto mechanic, owning and operating a family business (G.A.P) for many years. He loved working on and fixing vehicles, building and racing cars alongside his father and cousins. He was proud of his racing sponsorship from Chrysler and loved showing off his many trophies and pictures of his old cars. Jim loved hunting, fishing, painting, woodworking, puzzling, and taking family vacations. His love for animals only grew stronger over the years, from having dogs growing up, to owning race horses, to caring for his Granddogs Lexi and Brady, to his latest obsession with squirrels. Jim owned many race horses over the years and spent numerous days at the racetrack with his daughter Jennifer, his cousins, and his brothers-in-law. Jim was a history buff. He was a man of few words until the Trivial Pursuit gameboard came out or if Jeopardy was on the television. He was elated that his Granddaughter Jenna took a liking to history and spent many hours watching the History Channel with her and helping her with her homework. Jim always stressed the importance of a good education to his children, nieces, and nephews and pushed them to be the best they could be, always reminding them that “second place is no place.” Jim was so proud of his daughters’ accomplishments in both school and sports. He never missed a soccer game for his daughter Angela and instilled a love for hockey in both of his daughters, taking them to many Red Wings games. Everything he taught and instilled in his daughters, he did the same for his nieces and nephews who he loved like they were his own. No one felt more love from Jim than his two granddaughters, Jenna and Giuseppina, who he loved more than life itself. Visitation will be held Friday from 3-8 PM with a 7 PM Rosary at Wujek - Calcaterra & Sons Inc., 54880 Van Dyke (at 25 Mile Rd), Shelby Twp, 48315. Instate Saturday, February 10th at 9:30 AM, mass at 10 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 54045 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Twp, 48315. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery. Please share memories with the family at the “Online Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com.

James Frank Gundel

December 14, 1952 - February 2, 2024