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Eugene Kaminski

January 16, 1943 - July 23, 2016
Canton, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, July 28, 2016
3:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Canton, West of Sheldon
45100 Warren Rd.
Canton, MI 48187
(734) 453-3008

Rosary at 7:30pm

Driving Directions

Service

Friday, July 29, 2016
10:30 AM EDT
Resurrection Catholic Church
48755 Warren Rd
Canton, MI 48187

Instate 10 am until mass begins.

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Alzheimer's Association
25200 Telegraph Road, Suite100
Southfield, MI 48033
(800) 272-3900

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Cardwell
(734) 421-3567

Life Story / Obituary


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The eternal optimist, Gene Kaminski had an infectious spirit and a zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. He worked hard and encouraged others to do the same as he knew that in life nothing comes easy. Gene was a devoted family man who treasured his roles as a husband and father, but nothing made him more proud than witnessing his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren he treasured. A longtime resident of the community he loved, Gene was the sort of man everyone seemed to know. Life will never be the same without him here, but his timeless spirit will be carried on in the lives of those who follow him.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII. Those who remained stateside became all too familiar with rationing on common goods while manufacturing was focused on supporting the war effort. It was during this eventful time they Stanislaw and Angeline Kaminski were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Eugene V. on January 16, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the only child in his family and was raised in the family home in nearby Redford. As a young boy he enjoyed things like fishing, swimming, playing the piano, and visiting relatives in Pittsburgh. Gene’s father worked for Kelivinator and American Standard while his mother was a homemaker. He attended local schools including Redford Thurston High School where he lettered in swimming. Gene also enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his friends.

After graduating from high school in 1961, Gene joined the United States Air Force. Much of his time was spent serving on Toul Rosieres Air Force Base in France from 1961 through 1964. While serving, Gene rose to the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged.

With his military duties fulfilled, Gene returned home and began working for Ford Motor Company at Dearborn Stamping in 1966. It was this same year that his life was forever changed when he met the woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Diane, and they met in December. Sparks flew right from the start, and the couple began dating. Gene and Diane fell in love, and in April of the following year he proposed to her in his convertible mustang. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on July 12, 1968, at Saint Peter and Paul Church in Detroit. After a honeymoon spent in England and Paris, the couple returned home. In 1969 they moved to Canton and welcomed three children including Robert, Kenneth, and Brian, into their hearts and home. In 1975, Gene and Diane built the home where he remained for the rest of his life. Over the years their pets were also an important part of their family including their dogs, Muffy and Frosty, and their cat, Tiger.

Gene spent his entire career with Ford, retiring as the materials manager at Dearborn Stamping in 2006 after more than 40 years of dedicated service and great success. In fact, he was awarded a vehicle on two separate occasions because of his continuous improvement suggestions, which saved the company a lot of money and time. Gene’s department was regularly receiving safety awards under his leadership and ongoing commitment to ensuring that all of his people went home the same way they came to work. From 2000 through 2006, Gene was so thrilled that Ken and Brian were able to work with him. Always wanting to work hard, he worked for GM for a short time when the Ford union went on strike in 1967 since he had a wedding to pay for. In addition, Gene was an entrepreneur. In 1983, he and his wife purchased two duplexes off of Plymouth Road and Telegraph. They did this because they loved helping people, and it was also a way to create another revenue stream for the family. Gene’s dream was to open up a putt-putt golf in Canton in the late 1970s with their friends, the Matzos. In 1985, Gene and Diane opened a card shop in Plymouth called the Card Depot. In this business they partnered with both Ed and Jerrie Maciarz and Cass and Dana Swamba. Their overall intention in taking on that venture was to challenge themselves while also creating great memories. The business moved to Novi in 1988.

Life was always all about sharing experiences with his loved ones for Gene. He took his family on vacations all over to places like California, the Bahamas, Florida, and Nevada. They also went to Myrtle Beach with many friends and family for 25 straight years. Together Gene and Diane took a special vacation to Italy in 2011, and their final overseas vacation was to visit Bob, Sherry, and the grandchildren in Germany while Bob was stationed there as a Marine. While there they visited Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and more. Gene loved entertaining family and friends at their house, especially on Christmas Eve. He was quite the host as he took everyone’s coat when they got there and also had their favorite drink prepared just the way they liked it.

Gene was never one to be still. He enjoyed golfing, bocce ball, playing cards, and traveling, but he especially loved caring for his landscaping. He even won a landscaping award from the City of Canton for his meticulously maintained yard. Gene enjoyed taking walks with Diane along the ocean, making sure to get burnt like a lobster on the first day so he “would have a good base for the rest of the vacation!” He loved National Geographic magazine, books about WWII, shows such as All in the Family, Cheers, and Seinfeld. Gene also loved the History Channel and a good action movie in the theater. Devout Catholic, he attended Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth with his family, and in 1990 he began attending Saint John Neumann. Of course Gene’s favorite things always involved his family, and he was one proud grandfather. He attended all of his grandchildren’s events.

There was no one who met Eugene Kaminski and left unchanged. He was such an inspiration and made everyone feel like they could accomplish whatever they put their mind to, and he was so proud that all of his sons graduated from college. Deeply loved, Gene will never be forgotten.

Eugene V. Kaminski, passed away peacefully on July 23. Gene’s family includes his wife, Diane children, Robert (Sherry), Kenneth (Julie) and Brian (Sue); grandchildren, Travis, Tristan, Conner, Victor, Grant, Kara, Nolan and Derek; mother-in-law, Mary Kubek; sister-in-law, Jerrie Maciarz (Ed); brother-in-law, Ken Kubek (Susan); many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends Thursday 3-9 p.m. at the Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 45100 Warren Road (between Sheldon and Canton Center Rds) with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass Friday 10:30 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church 48755 Warren Road, Canton. In state 10 a.m. until mass begins. Interment St. Hedwig Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimers of Michigan. To share a favorite memory and/or photo and to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.Turowskilifestory.com

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