Ronald Wilczak

Ronald "Ron" Wilczak passed away peacefully after a short illness on Oct. 16, 2015 with Marion, his loving and devoted wife of 52 years by his side and surrounded by family. Ronald Wilczak was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 22, 1940. He was the younger of two sons born to Eugene and Bernice Wilczak. Ron was raised in Detroit where he studied music at conservatory when he was young and attended a Jesuit high school associated with University of Detroit. After high school Ron studied business at University Of Detroit and met and married his wife Marion. They had two daughters, Susan and Cheryl whom they both cherished. Ron went into banking and was successful because of his intelligence, strength of character and friendly, engaging personality. The family lived on Grosse Ile, Michigan when the girls were young and then moved to a home in the country outside Fenton, Michigan when Ron was named President of First National Bank of Fenton. The family named their new home Whispering Oaks. It was a wonderful place to raise a family, surrounded by the special natural beauty of Michigan they all loved so much; it remains today much like a nature preserve. Ron had a deep and inquiring mind and a love of history and all things Michigan. He loved to take his family on vacation trips and one of his favorite places in the world was Mackinac Island. The Wilczak family enjoyed countless memories of the island, its history, culture and hospitality and those memories will endure in their hearts forever. Ron was also a very talented professional musician and delighted in entertaining audiences with his piano playing, both in public and at home. He was a great athlete in many sports as a youth and especially tennis which he played as an adult. Ron loved antiques and artifacts and you could always find him at a flea market or antique shop with his friends, discussing history and art and culture, both high and popular. Ron will most of all be remembered as a supportive and loving husband and father, a mentor and counselor to countless friends and relatives, a source of strength, advice and guidance to all he met and knew. Ron was present in the lives of many and will be missed by many and it can be said with assurance that he made a difference and left this world a better place. Ron is preceded in death by his father Eugene and mother Bernice. Ron is survived by his wife Marion, daughter Susan Wilczak-Wood and her husband Michael Wood (Benton Harbor, MI), daughter Cheryl Wilczak (Chicago, IL), Brother Eugene and family (Howell MI), sister in law Julie (Salatrik) and her husband Lou Specogna and family, sister in law Gloria (Salatrik) and her husband Michael Regal and family, brother in law Mel Salatrik and his wife Ida and family, brother in law Ron Salatrik and his wife Gail and family, brother in law Andrew Salatrik and his wife Joanne and family along with countless friends, acquaintances and associates whose life he touched in so many ways. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Mon. Oct. 19, 2015 at St. Rita Catholic Church of Holly, with Father David Blazek , Celebrant. Visitation will be form 2-9 PM Sat. and Sun. at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly, with a Rosary prayed at 4:30 PM Sun. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Mackinac State Historical Parks. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com

Ronald Wilczak

November 22, 1940 - October 16, 2015