Stanley A. Surowiec

Stanley A. Surowiec, known fondly as “Stan”, was born on June 2, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to his Polish parents, Albert and Helen Surowiec. He passed away peacefully on July 22, 2021. Beloved husband of Carmela Surowiec for 52 years. Loving father of Andrew (Maria) Surowiec, Matthew (Stephanie) Surowiec, Krista (Monty) Shambleau and Rebecca Tibus. Dear grandfather of Caroline, Andrew, Isabela, Madeleine, Stanley, Brandon, Michelle, Carmelo, Benjamin and Becket. Dearest brother of Alberta Surowiec and Fr. Jude Surowiec. Uncle to many nieces and nephews, godfather to several, and a friend to all.

Stan started serving God at a young age as an altar boy. He attended Our Lady Queen of Angels Elementary in Detroit and formed lasting friendships. He was very active at St. Francis High School (an all-boys prep school) in Buffalo, New York and graduated as president of his 1961 senior class. He was a choir member with St. Francis and sang during the radio Rosary Hour. Throughout his adult life, he volunteered as an usher at various Catholic Parishes. Stan and his wife Carmela are current members at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington.

He was a true athlete growing up. He played many high school sports including: basketball, track and football; and served as captain on his teams. He led his college team as a basketball center. As a sports lover, he hardly missed a Tigers’ baseball game and maintained season tickets to the Detroit Red Wings for nearly 40 years. He also expressed his love for hockey as a youth team manager. He enjoyed bowling at the Detroit Athletic Club. Stan looked forward to his weekly golf outings with his grade school buddies and neighbors. He was also an avid reader and looked forward to starting his day with coffee, the newspaper, crossword and Sudoku.

Stan enlisted in the Marine Corp and proudly served his country from 1964 until 1968 with a tour in Vietnam. He returned home and graduated from Detroit Institute of Technology. He excelled throughout his career as Senior Vice president of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (MichCon) and proudly served on many local and state boards including the Michigan Oil and Gas Association (MOGA). After retirement, he was a consultant and compassionately served for 25 years as a probation officer for the Livonia Court. He was a dedicated mentor to those in recovery from substance addictions.

Stan was kind, generous, empathetic, and humble. He was a devoted family man. He was always there to help and attentively celebrate the gifts and talents of his wife, children, and grandchildren. Stan’s family made special memories in the summer during traditional big family trips to Saugatuck, Michigan. Stan and Carmela appreciated cruising and travelling. They spent their winter months in Naples, Florida with friends.

Stan will be deeply missed by many. If Stan had it his way, he would have meticulously typed this obituary himself by using his electric treasured typewriter and would sign off his personal correspondence with “XOXO”.

Visitation at Harry J Will Funeral Home in Livonia on Sunday, July 25, 2021 from 3-9pm with a rosary and eulogy service at 7pm. In state at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 9:30am with Mass at 10:00am. If you are unable to attend the funeral mass, a livestream link has been provided below.

Donations can be made in Stan's honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which are both linked below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HarryjWillLivonia.com for the Surowiec family.