Obituaries

Phillip L. Proulx

Died July 8, 2015

MAPLE CITY – Phillip Leonard Proulx, 89, of Maple City, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at home with family at his side.

Phillip was born on August 9, 1925, in Detroit, the son of Albert and Noella (Trudel) Proulx.  On Oct. 21, 1944 in Florida, he married Rosemarie Zielinski, who survives.

From an early age, Phillip demonstrated a love for the natural world, an active imagination, a remarkable talent for building things, and a keen sense of adventure.  In 1943, still too young for the draft, he joined the Great Lakes Merchant Marine Service, where he served on the James Davidson, a 600-foot freighter.  Before the following sailing season, he was drafted into the United States Army and assigned to the 463^rd Bomb Group in the15^th Air Force.

 

Being short of stature and light of weight, Phillip was designated as a B-17 ball turret gunner.  After training at locations throughout the United States, he was stationed at Drew Field in Tampa, Florida, where he married Rosemarie Zielinski on October 21, 1944.  That December, he shipped out to Foggia, Italy.

 

While stationed there, he and his crew flew 15 bombing missions over Romania and Germany.  His service earned him a Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, four Bronze Stars, and an Air Medal.  Returning stateside after V-E Day, he and Rosemarie were stationed at various locations in the south until he was discharged in January, 1946.

Returning to Detroit, he secured a job as a carpenter, framing houses as part of the post-war boom.  He quickly took an interest in finish carpentry, display work, and cabinetmaking, a trade he would pursue for 50 years as a Master Carpenter and Life Member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.  He co-founded two cabinetmaking businesses and became widely known for his beautiful carvings.  He finished his working career as a bonded locksmith at Wayne State University, retiring in 1987.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Phil could always be talked into a summertime fishing trip to Lake St. Clair or a fall weekend of hunting.  In the 1960’s, hunting trips to Leelanau County, Michigan led to a love of its forested sandy hills, beautiful lakes and streams, and the Lake Michigan shore.  It wasn’t long before he and Rosemarie made plans to retire there.

Upon retirement, they designed and built (that’s “built” – not “had built”) a beautiful home on 3-1/2 acres they had purchased some years earlier, finishing it in 1990.  They enjoyed this home, the Leelanau area, and many dear friends for the past 25 years.

After completing the house, Phil, inspired by his many walks in the surrounding woods, took an interest in designing and building an astonishing number of beautifully imaginative, one-of-a-kind canes and walking staffs. These artistic creations became his signature, and have found homes all over the world.

As remarkable as all of this is, however, it fails to capture the essence of why Phillip was so dear to so many.  His work ethic and insistence on a job properly done inspired all who were fortunate enough to work with him.  An irrepressibly social person, he could talk to anyone about anything and absolutely loved wordplay.  Despite his long work hours, this kind, generous man always gave his most valuable possession – his time – to anyone who needed his help.

Although he is in one sense gone, he is very much with us still.  He taught us to give; we honor his memory by learning from and following his example.

In addition to his loving wife of 70 years, Phillip is survived by his children, Mark Phillip (Nancy) Proulx and David Leonard (Donna) Proulx; five grandchildren, Rachel Lauren (Christian) Kern, Jeffrey David Proulx, Phillip Edward (Erica) Proulx, Monica Lynn Proulx, and Michael Anthony Proulx; one great-grandchild, Sophia Kern; and a sister, Mary Florence Basden.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jean Guy Proulx and a sister, Jeanette Marcus.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Phillip Neri Church, Empire, with family greeting friends one hour prior.  Rev. Pablo Martinez will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49686.

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