Obituary of Joseph Fleszar

Joseph "Joe" James Fleszar was born March 15, 1921 in Standish, Michigan. Joseph was one of eleven children born to the union of the late John Fleszar and the late Amelia (Wolak) Fleszar. While ice skating on the River Raisin, Joe met the love of his life, Judee Sowders. They were married on October 25, 1947 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Carleton. Joe served his country proudly as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning from the war, he worked many different jobs, but ended up retiring from Ford Motor Company Dearborn where he had worked over 30 years as an Experimental Mechanic in heavy truck. His true passion, however, was farming! He was never happier than when he was in the fields on his John Deere tractor, or harvesting his crops with the combine. His love for farming did not falter, even when one of his tractors accidentally ran over him and he lived to tell about it. Joe also loved to hunt and fish and was an avid sports fan. He coached the St. Pat's baseball team - men's and women's - back in the 1950s. He was a true Lions fan and never missed Nascar, which he would watch with his middle daughter. His children remember a Tigers game always being on the radio, and his grandchildren remember watching them on tv with him, while he sipped his iced tea. Joe and Judee were avid travelers and had been all over the U.S., Canada, Europe and Greece. They loved spending time together at their winter home in Palmetto, Florida. In their "younger" days, Joe and Judee loved parties and going out dancing with their grown children. Joe was always stocked with party pranks and especially loved to pull them at the New Year's Eve bashes they never missed. Joe particularly loved the holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. He always assisted in cooking the big traditional family dinners for those holidays and loved having the whole family around the table. He was never happier than when everyone gathered between the holidays to make the Fleszar Family Pierogies which were an important part of the New Year's Day celebration. Joseph James Fleszar, age 84 of Carleton passed away unexpectedly on March 9, 2006. Preceding his passing in addition to his parents were four brothers: Roman, Charles, Stanley, and Bruno Fleszar; and one sister: Rose Fleszar. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and leaves to cherish his memory: his wife and best friend of 59 years, Judee; his three children: Lyn (Art) Richardson of Luna Pier; Joni Brow and Joseph "Joey" James II of Carleton; three grandchildren: Jessica (Tom Bacarella) Dailey of Monroe, David W. Dailey II of Oscoda, and Allison Fleszar of Kalamazoo; and siblings: Helen Dandron of Monroe, Anthony (Bea) Fleszar of New Boston, Bernice Bies of Phoenix AZ, Chester (Theresa) Fleszar of Onsted and Rev. Andrew (Brenda) Fleszar of Dundee. He will also be fondly remembered by many, many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. A private graveside memorial service has been held and Joseph was laid to rest at Michigan Memorial Park. Arrangements were entrusted to Bennett Funeral Service. You can add memories and photos by visiting: www.mfs.com