Paul S. Brzezinski

Paul Stephen Brzezinski died on April 24, 2015 at his home in Traverse City surrounded by his loving family. He was born at home June 30, 1924 on a farm in Centerville Township (Leelanau County), the youngest son of Martin and Mary (Fleis) Brzezinski. He attended Holy Rosary School in Isadore and graduated from St. Francis High School in Traverse City in 1941. During WWII, he was a "voluntary inductee" in the United States Air Corp as a pilot trainee. Later he enrolled in the B-29 Engineering School in Amarillo, Texas Air Base. All training stopped at the end of the war and Paul was discharged from the Air Corps in December of 1945. Paul sought work in Detroit and got a job as a sheet metal worker at the Budd Wheel Factory. Later he worked for the Veterans Administration, where he advanced to mail room supervisor. Using the G.I. Bill of Rights, Paul enrolled at Wayne State University to study Civil Engineering. During his summer vacation, he came back to Traverse City to work at Morgan's Canning Factory. That summer he met his future wife, a student nurse training at the State Hospital. The following year in 1949, Paul married V. Jean Tuttle at Holy Rosary Church on August 13, the same day his father and mother were celebrating their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary.

After graduation from Wayne State, Paul was employed by the Wayne County Road Commission, as a Project Engineer. Paul supervised the construction of roads, bridges, a tunnel and several buildings at the
Detroit Metro Airport. He served a term as vice-president of the Wayne County Engineer's Association. Paul was also active in the Boy Scouts with several of his sons. Paul retired in 1983 and moved to Traverse City to enjoy fishing, golf and his many relatives living in the area. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and chaired the annual Tootsie Roll drive in Traverse City for several years.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Frances (Emil) Long, Regina (Michael) Galla, Mary (Ferdinand) Harp, Bridget (James) Ghastin, Martin (Sophia Plamondon), Thomas (Frances Stefaniak), Sr. Mary Georgene (Agnes), Francis (Elizabeth Popa), Edward (Mary Cramer), Lucille (Leo) Stefaniak, Roman, baby sister Josephine, and sons Stephen and Paul.

Paul is survived by his wife, Jean, sons David (Linda Chesney), Mark (Joelene Piatt), Mathew, Martin, Philip and John; daughters, Christine and Carol Ann; daughter-in-law Terri (Roller); grandchildren Peter and Erik Brzezinski, Theresa (Russell) Bloss and Alex Aiello, Sarah and Emma Brzezinski; and great-grandson Oliver Bloss.

Visitation for Paul will take place on Thursday, April 30 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. with Deacon Rene Hoenscheid officiating. Visitation will also take place beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 1 at St. Francis Catholic Church, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.

Paul had suggested that he be remembered through memorial contributions to The ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) 1325 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48910-1652 ( www.thearc.org ) or to St. Francis Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI 49684.

Please share your thoughts and memories with Paul's family by way of his online guest book/tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.