Delbert Calvin Mills

Del was born May 11, 1929, in Croswell, Michigan. He was the eldest of six sons of Archie and Ellen Mills. He was pre-deceased by his parents and four of his brothers, Douglas, Albert, Thomas and Larry, and by his beloved grandson, Matthew Barsamian. Del lived in the Detroit area all his life. He attended Pershing High School, and upon graduation received two scholarships, one to General Motors and one to Lawrence Institute of Technology. He chose the latter. He met his future wife, Patricia McCarthy, in high school and they married on October 8, 1949. They have five daughters; Kathy Calverly (John), Sandra Brogger (Eric), Sheryl Frabotta (Anthony), Beverly Barsamian (Jeffrey) and Debra Basso (Michael). They are blessed with nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Del’s greatest joy was his family, and he was affectionately known as “Grandpa Trouble.” Del joined the National Guard and served in the artillery stateside during the Korean war from 1950 to 1953. He became a Master Electrician and is a 71-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 58. With his company, Mills and Company, he built many major electric signs in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan, including shopping malls, cinemas, and building identification signs, such as banks, automobile companies and the original red letters for Cobo Hall. He loved his work, as each project presented a new challenge. He called going to work, going to “Disneyland.” Del enjoyed music and sang with the Rochester Catholic Chorale. The choir performed in the movie, The Rosary Murders, filmed at Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit. Del and Patricia also enjoyed travel, and they were privileged to participate in a singing tour of Italian cities with the Rochester Catholic Chorale. The Chorale performed a concert at Sant’ Ignazio in Rome and sang a Sunday High Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral. When they visited Ireland, Del kissed the Blarney Stone on his 82nd birthday. Because of the pandemic, services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to “The Matthew D. Barsamian Foundation" on this website.