Lawrence Edward Kozlowski

KOZLOWSKI, Lawrence, Edward, age 70, of Sterling Heights, passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2023, after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Larry was born on March 7, 1953, to Rose and Edward Kozlowski, and grew up on Detroit’s east side. He graduated from De La Salle Collegiate High School, Class of 1971, and went on to the University of Detroit, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After a 30-year career as a proud Ford Motor Company engineer, Larry accepted an offer of early retirement, worked for Detroit Diesel for two years, and then took a part-time job doing maintenance work at his church. When Parkinson’s began to slow him down, Larry decided to fully retire to spend more time doing the things he loved. With a little travel trailer, a favorite dog, a willing wife, and a passion for all things Michigan and the Great Lakes, Larry spent the next seven years enjoying the wonders of his favorite Michigan State Parks with family and friends. Harrisville and Wilderness State Parks were always his two favorite places to be. If Larry was sitting in front of a blazing fire under a starry sky, with the scent of burning wood and pine trees in the air – he was happy. If he could hear the waves from a Great Lake crashing on a nearby beach – it was pure bliss. The other great passion in Larry’s life was everything related to cars and motorcycles. He owned many models of each, but his early '80s Ford Mustang GT and his Harley-Davidson motorcycle were two of his favorites. Despite being a very tall man, Larry also loved the original VW Beetle, owned numerous models, and somehow managed to fold himself into the driver’s seat. Larry is survived by his loving family – his wife of 37 years, Cathy (nee Reuter); sons, Andy, Alex (Alyssa), and Aaron (fiancée Melanie); grandson Zachary; sisters Mary Ann Cavallero (the late Larry) and Sue Greene (John); his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Reinhold and Mary Ann Reuter; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joe and Nancy Reuter, Tom and Nancy Reuter, Jim and Denise Reuter, and Bruce and Eileen Risdon, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family would especially like to thank the many wonderful family members, neighbors, friends, caregivers, and the Henry Ford doctors who helped care for Larry in his long fight against this horrible disease. Their kindness, compassion and dedication were truly a source of inspiration, and words can never express our gratitude. Larry was a quiet, kind and gentle man, with a wicked sense of humor, and it is gratifying to know that he was appreciated by the many people who knew him. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association are greatly appreciated. Larry was able to donate his brain to the Brain Donor Project, where his gift may help many in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. Larry’s gift will go to McLean Hospital, a prominent research hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, April 21 from 3-9 p.m. at Wujek Calcaterra & Sons, 36900 Schoenherr Road (at Metro Parkway) in Sterling Heights. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Road (between Schoenherr and Dodge Park Roads), until the time of the memorial Mass at 9:30 a.m. Share memories with the family in the online guestbook at WujekCalcaterra.com.

Lawrence Edward Kozlowski

March 7, 1953 - April 5, 2023