Louis "Jack" Feys

From decade to decade, Jack Feys witnessed many changes throughout his long life. Through the turmoil of war and beyond the hardships of the Great Depression, he lived with the changes of time which made him the special and well loved man that he was. A remarkable man in the lives of those he touched, Jack's kind and affable nature enlightened everyone around him with loving kindness. Although he will be sadly missed, his memory lives on in many ways.

Jack's story began in the year 1924 when Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States and at a time when industry was booming in the U.S. With the economy soaring, the Roaring Twenties brought excitement to the air within an ever changing culture. In the bustling city of Detroit, Michigan at Henry Ford Hospital,, Louis and Margaret (O’Donnell) Feys were filled with excitement of their own when on November 15, 1924 they welcomed the birth of their son, Louis "Jack" Feys, Jr. and his twin sister, Peggy Feys into their hearts.

Young Jack grew up in Detroit, Michigan where the Feys family made their home on Cloverlawn Street. His father worked as a paymaster for the Dodge Brothers. Jack was merely a two year old toddler when his mother sadly died. His grandmother, Nellie Flynn, helped raise him.

Jack enjoyed a childhood typical of the times. Although the Great Depression placed financial burdens on everyone from coast to coast, Jack and his family got by during these times of economic hardship. During his youth he attended Hall of the Divine Child in Monroe until the 8th grade, where he won the Christian Manhood Award. An athletic young man, he played the position of quarterback on the St. Cecilia High School football team.

Like many young men during this time, Jack felt the call to duty with the onset of World War II. He served as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the war before being honorably discharged.To further his education, Jack studied at the University of Detroit under the G.I. Bill.

After returning home to Michigan, Jack continued his education, found work and soon met the young woman who came to steal his heart, Helen McNamara. After meeting on a blind date, they fell deeply in love and were married in October of 1949 before family and friends in a ceremony held at St. Monica's Catholic Church in Detroit. Just as they were beginning to welcome a family of their own, the Korean War found Jack once again in the service. During the war he served as a SCARWAF, a Special Category Army Reassigned with the Air Force.

In 1952, Jack and Helen moved their family to Livonia, Michigan where they lovingly raised their eight children, Erin, Pat, Peggy, Kate, Maureen, Paul, Dan, and John. Even though Jack worked numerous hours in his construction business, he had a way of balancing work and family life. He worked hard to make a good home for his thriving family, and set a fine example for his children to live by. In Jack they found a loving, patient father who lived with integrity and kindness. He was also a good natured fellow whose warm and personable demeanor made him a friend of many. Throughout the years, treasured times were shared as a family with a large Christmas Eve party each year, enjoying the open waters while boating, and attending sporting events together.

Jack kept his boat docked at Kean's Marina in Detroit and loved entertaining family and friends while watching numerous boat races on the Detroit River. He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons, not to mention being an adopted fan of the NOLA Saints and the SD Padres. Jack's sons-in-law would be the first to agree they were so thankful he held season tickets for all their beloved Detroit teams! Jack also loved the game of golf. He was a lifetime member of the Western Golf and Country Club since 1964.

As a building contractor, Jack went on to own and operate three construction companies over the years. Jack never retired, he continued doing the work he loved until he passed away. Since 1985, he and Helen enjoyed the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama as snowbirds each year. While there, Jack was sure to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade complete with his kilt. A proud Irishman, Jack was a member of the AOH, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, one of America’s oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organizations promoting friendship, unity, and Christian charity. In fact, his Irish heritage held direct blood lines. In 1993, Jack and twenty members of his family enjoyed a memorable vacation to Ireland. One of his heart's desires was to visit his "homeland" which was a time never to be forgotten.

With claim to 19 wonderful grandchildren and 22 amazing great-grandchildren, Jack always emphasized, to his credit, the "Great" part of being a great-grandfather! But that was typical of Jack. Fun-loving and witty, he had a way of bringing smiles to everyone within his reach. He not only had a terrific sense of humor, but was quite intelligent and very competent in all he did. And if Jack didn't "tell you once, he told you 19 times" about any given subject matter!

Always a straightforward man, when Jack was diagnosed with the news of impending death, he simply stated, “I’ve always tried to play the hand I was dealt . . . and it has been a great run.” Deeply missed, Jack will be fondly remembered by those who came to know and love him.

Louis J. Feys, Jr. “Jack”, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, July 31, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Helen; his brother, Don Feys, and twin sister, Peggy Racey. Jack was the loving father of Erin, Patrick (Cathy), Peggy (Bob), Kate (Rod), Maureen (Bart), Paul (Judy), Dan (Jill) and John (Jackie); dearest grandfather of 19 and great-grandfather of 22, and dear friend of Norma MacLean. His family will receive friends on Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 2-9pm at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Road (btn Merriman and Middlebelt) with a Rosary at 7pm. The Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, August 4, 2014, 10:30am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 27101 West Chicago (at Inkster Rd.), with instate from 10am until Mass begins. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Jack's family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Angela Hospice for their sincere care. Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may sign his online guestbook, share a memory, or upload a photo.