Obituaries

Joseph Francis Brzezinski

Died February 15, 2015

CEDAR – Joseph Francis Brzezinski, 98, of Cedar, passed away Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at Maple Valley Nursing Home.

  Joe was born Sep. 9, 1916 to Andrew and Katherine (Rosinski) Brzezinski in Centerville Township.  He attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Traverse City High School.  He married Agnes Christine Popa on June 3, 1940 at Holy Rosary Church of Isadore.

  He worked at the Traverse City State Hospital for five years and at Parsons Corporation for seven years supporting the war effort making munitions.  Joe then spent most of his working life at Cone Drive Gears in Traverse City, retiring after 27 years.  Joe and Agnes started their family in Traverse City then moved back to the farm in Cedar to care for Joe’s elderly parents in 1954.  Joe was a loving husband, father, son, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He was a church and community leader and served on countless committees and projects involving his church, the schools and the community.

  He was a Leelanau County Commissioner for 12 years, which he enjoyed very much and took very seriously.  He loved serving others and working for the benefit of his fellow citizens and was especially proud of his role in the creation of the 911 tower.  He served on the Glen Lake School Board for 13 years.  Joe was a credit union officer at Cone Drive Gears for 25 years.  He served on the Holy Rosary School Board and Parish Council.  Joe served on the board of the Grand Traverse / Leelanau Community Mental Health Board and on the Adult Services and the Finance Committees.  He was active in the community of Cedar and later at Holy Rosary Parish lending a hand whenever and wherever needed.

  The major influences in Joe’s life were his parents and his strong Catholic faith.  He was a very devout and active parishioner both at St. Francis and Holy Rosary parish where he was a Eucharistic Minister for many years.  Joe was devoted to praying the rosary especially in his later years when he spent his mornings praying multiple Rosaries for his family and friends, the community and the world.

  Joe was very well known throughout the county and almost everyone called him “Uncle Joe” whether related to him or not.  He had a wonderful sense of humor which he kept going strong to the end of his life.  His grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved visiting Grandpa Joe because he made them feel loved and could always make them laugh.

  Joe is survived by his brother, Steven Brzezinski of Sarasota, Florida, who faithfully visited Joe every summer for the last many years; his children, Leonard (Lynne) of Lansing, Dr. Mary (Wayne Ramsey) Forster of Indianapolis, JoAnn (Thomas) Schwarz of Cadillac, Patricia (Ronn) Hokenstad of Bullhead City, Arizona, and Jon (Bonnie Mack) of Interlochen; his loving daughter-in-law, Nancy (Bob) Piche of Cedar; his grandchildren, Paul (Ted Wroblewski) Brzezinski, Matthew Brzezinski, Michael (Missi) Campbell, Misha (Matt) Mann, Scott (Rebecca Fitzwater) Forster, Tammi (Jon Haggerty) Forster, Thomas (Sara Soderstrom) Schwarz, Jessica Schwarz, Katie (Justin) Burger, Megan (Kevin Koester) Schwarz, Melissa (Ivan) Keener, Jonathon (Suzi Bicknell) Brzezinski, Dennis (Rocio) Brzezinski; great-grandchildren, Chloe Mann, Ian, Andrew, James and Luke Haggerty, Joshua, Joey, and Lauryn Forster, Mira and Isaac Schwarz, Ivan Jr., Malachi and Arete Keener, Solei, Zoe, and Denika Brzezinski, Landon Brzezinski; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, including his close friend / nephew Larry Bruckner of Traverse City.

  He was preceded in death his wife of 54 years, Agnes; sons, Jozef Antoni and James; daughter, Ann Marie; brothers, Andrew (Lillian), John (Melanie) and Wladyslaw (Cecelia); sisters, Micheline (Joe) Pleva, Kathryn (Ray) Betlejewski, Praxides (Adelbert) Joynt, Anna (Frank) Novak and Alice (Sylvester) Bruckner; and friend, Bernice Shorter.

  We wish to thank the many people who were faithful and kind friends to Dad for many years especially Jan Weber as well as Father Donald Libby and Deacon Doug Wigton.  We also wish to thank John and Donna Kasben, Misty Porter and the caring and compassionate nurses and staff at Maple Valley Nursing Home for the loving care Dad received.

  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 with the Rosary to be prayed before the Mass and the family greeting friends one hour prior to the service at Holy Rosary Church of Isadore.  Father Jerry Brzezinski and Father Donald Libby will serve as celebrants.   Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery of Isadore will be announced in the spring.

  Memorials may be directed to Holy Rosary Church, 6982 South Schomberg Road, Cedar, MI 49621.

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