Donald Thaddeus Burzynski

BURZYNSKI, Donald, (January 30, 1943 – October 7, 2026) Donald Thaddeus Burzynski, 83, of Troy, passed away on October 7, 2026. For three days before his passing, his beloved family kept vigil at his bedside, surrounding him with prayer and love. Known to family and friends as DB, Papa and Boomer, he was a creative spirit, a lifelong scholar, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Donald was born in Detroit on January 30, 1943, to Thaddeus and Genevieve (Delikat) Burzynski, and grew up in Hamtramck. He graduated from St. Ladislaus High School and went on to Wayne State University, where he earned a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and performed as lead dancer with the Harriet Berg Dance Company while at Wayne State. It was at a Polish wedding that he met the love of his life, Janine Bak. They married on November 19, 1966, and this November would have marked 60 years together. Donald began his 52-year career as an advertising art director at J. Walter Thompson and went on to work with numerous agencies. In his fifties, he founded and ran two agencies of his own, DB Creative and Fame Marketing, and shared his expertise with the next generation as a part-time professor of advertising at Walsh College. His work earned three Detroit Emmy Awards, one of which he earned from the iconic Dodge Ram logo, and numerous CADDY Awards from the advertising industry. A true student of history, Donald brought the past to life as a living history reenactor of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He was a founding member of the Marines Brooks Detachment, a War of 1812 reenactment group, and his deep knowledge of U.S. Marine history led him to write The First Leathernecks. He was also a devoted student of Native American history. A man of faith, he was a parishioner at SS. Cyril and Methodius and St. Anastasia Catholic churches. His idea of a perfect Saturday was a good book in the sunshine, unless there was a family party, where he could be counted on to be “first in line” for the food, or out on the dance floor for a family special event. He cheered faithfully for University of Michigan football, kept every family memento (a habit his children have happily inherited), and delivered his dry, quirky one-liners with perfect timing. “Sit crooked or grow up crooked” is just one of the many sayings his children (and have lovingly collected a list!). Nothing made him prouder than his wife and his four children, and he bragged about their accomplishments to friends and strangers alike. Donald is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Janine (Bak) Burzynski; his children, Yvette Berman (Kevin Berman), Eric Burzynski, Aaron Burzynski (Andrea) and Angelique Smith (Rick Smith Jr.); his grandchildren, Katryna, Nadia, Jacob, Izabella, Mia, Cooper, Alex, Luke and Gabriel; his niece, Lisa MacNeill; his nephews, Craig MacNeill and Jacob Burzynski; and many cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thaddeus and Genevieve (Delikat) Burzynski; his sister, Priscilla (the late Dennis) MacNeill; his brother, Leonard Burzynski; and his niece, Doreen Manoloff (MacNeill). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation. www.parksinsonsmi.org Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026 from 3-8pm with a 7pm Rosary at Wujek - Calcaterra & Sons Inc., 36900 Schoenherr Rd at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate will be 11am until the time of Mass 12pm, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at SS. Cyril & Methodius Slovak Catholic Church, 41233 Ryan Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48314. Interment to take place at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, MI. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com

Donald Thaddeus Burzynski

January 30, 1943 - October 7, 2026