Joseph Paul Poirier

He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane, his sister in law, Karen Kowalsky (David), his brother, Kenneth Poirier (Laura), and five loving nieces, Mary Wagner (Neil), Ann Minjeur (Patrick), Maureen Weiss (Stuart), Bernadette Jones (Zachary), and Rose Poirier, as well as nine great nieces and great nephews.

Joe graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School in 1978, and he earned a baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Michigan University in 1983. Aside from his studies at Eastern, Joe thoroughly enjoyed fulfilling his duties as House Manager for the house operated by his fraternity, Kappa Phi Alpha.

After graduation, he worked as a security officer for the Renaissance Center in Detroit. It was there that he met the love of his life, Diane, and they married in 1988.

Joe fulfilled his lifelong ambition to become a police officer, serving the City of Detroit from 1987 to 1989. In 1989 he expanded his public service, joining the Grosse Pointe Park Public Safety Department, continuing his work as a police officer, taking on the additional responsibilities of a firefighter and an emergency medical responder. In 2014, Joe retired from public service after 27 years.

Joe was a sports enthusiast, and he would readily give interesting details about the teams he enjoyed following, including the Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan Wolverines. He loved telling stories, especially about his life at home with Diane and their sheepdog Lilly, but you had to dig to find out about some of his accomplishments, because he was not one to brag about himself. While serving in Detroit, for example, Joe received a commendation for saving the life of a person who was about to jump off the Belle Isle Bridge.

Joe was known and loved by his many relatives, friends, and those met in public service, for his ready wit, his sense of humor, his strong sense of justice, and his concern for the underdog,. He loved his family and his friends, especially enjoying the time that he shared with them all.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.