Gerald Radecki

November 3, 1934 - April 17, 2021

Gerald Radecki, age 86, died on April 17, 2021 in Traverse City Michigan. He was born on November 3, 1934 to Victor and Anna Radecki (Kasperlik) in Grand Rapids MI. Gerald grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from Union High School in 1952. He received both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Aquinas College. He was part of the education system in Grand Rapids and then in the Rudyard Area school systems for a total of 35 years. He married his wife Rita (Kolarik) in 1957 and moved his family to the upper peninsula in 1968. He enjoyed living near Kinross and built the family home on his own private wooded land. For many years after retirement his hobby became restoring and refinishing old fashioned pump organs. Many parts were from antique church organs and we teased he worked with organ donors. He had a lifelong passion for cars and spent many retirement years as a member of the Miata club. He was a member of Holy Family Church of Barbeau MI and served as a member and president of the parish council. Gerald is survived by his children; Ann (Matt) Sartore of Grand Rapids, Steve (Lauren) Radecki of Petoskey, Mary (Joan Plamondon) Radecki of Traverse City and Tom ( Cheryl) Radecki of Jenison; Grandsons Benton (Rachel) Sartore, Will (Briggitta) Sartore, Gare (Emily) Sartore, Connor (Kara) Radecki, and Justin Radecki, step-grandchildren Jack and Ava Seebohm, and great grandchildren Nathan and Eleanor Sartore, Elliot Sartore, and Agnes SartoreBoyle, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents Victor and Anna Radecki, step father Peter Aleksynas, his wife of 63 years Rita, and his brother Richard Radecki. A funeral mass will be held at 1 pm on Thursday April 22 at St Francis Church in Traverse City. Visitation at the church from 12 to 1pm prior to mass. A memorial mass will be offered at Holy Family Church in Barbeau at a future date. Memorial contributions may be addressed to a charity of your choice if desired. Gerald and his family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.