Stanley Thomas Kusmirek Sr.
(December 13, 1923 - December 20, 2007)
 

Stanley T. Kusmirek Sr., age 84, of Munising died peacefully at his home early Thursday morning, December 20, 2007 with his family at his side following a ten year illness. He was born December 13, 1923 to the late Michael and Anna (Negilski) Kusmirek. Stan attended Washington School, Sacred Heart School, and graduated from William G. Mather in 1941. After graduation he went to Ford Trade School in Dearborn, MI. In January of 1943, Stan entered the U.S. Navy and became an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class. He was a flight engineer on a PB4 (Patrol Bomber) that patrolled the Atlantic Coast. He was awarded the WWII American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and was the 1946 middle weight Golden Glove Boxing Champion of the Mid-South. Stan was honorably discharged in April of 1946. He worked in Detroit briefly before returning to Munising to work at the Munising Paper Company. While at Kimberly-Clark, he was the Union President and was promoted to the position of Shipping Planner in the Administrative Services Department. That job he held at the time of his retirement in January of 1984 after thirty-seven years of employment. Stan married Dorothy E. Heminger on December 11, 1965. He loved hunting, fishing, and trapping. Stan devoted a great deal of his time to the outdoors through the many organizations he belonged to. He served in every office of the Alger Conservation Club (ACC), he was the President of the Northern Michigan Sportsman Association, and was a charter member of the Planning Commission. He was also the commissioner of a Boxing club in Munising. Stan was a loving and caring father and he is going to be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Stan is survived by his wife of forty-two years – Dorothy Kusmirek; five children – Thomas Kusmirek of Munising, Stan “Skip” Kusmirek Jr. of Munising, Barbara (Bob) Hoos of Burton, MI, Judith Harmon of Mt. Morris, MI, Kathi (his special son-in-law and close friend Murray) Donnelly; brother and best friend – Edward (Millie) Kusmirek of Renton, WA; sister – Rosie Peters; seven grandchildren – Scott Kusmirek, Tracy (Johan) De Jong, Danielle (John Starr) Bennett, Perry Bennett, Bryan (Jennifer) Behning, Erica (Damon) Peterson, Fortune Hovind; twelve great-grandchildren – Brittany, Laila, Senna, Arianna, Brook, Ana, Mason, Taylin, Carmen, Dayne, Courtney, Deian; stepchildren – Jerry (Beverly) Howard and James (April) Howard of Munising, Carol Kunick of El Paso, TX; brother-in-law – Charles Martz of Gladwin, MI; numerous step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and his favorite cockatiel – Baby. He was preceded in death by his parents – Michael and Anna; and sister – Bernice “Beans” Martz.

In accordance to Stan’s wishes, there will be no public services at this time. Memorials may be made in Stan’s name to the Alger County Animal Shelter.

Submitted by Char Livermore