Vincent John Pizzimenti, age 76, died Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at his home in Warren surrounded by his loving family. Vincent was born July 15, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late Carlo Pizzimenti and the late Anna (nee: Medvisen) Pizzimenti.A proud graduate of St. Martin's High School, Vince poured himself into the high school experience, especially in the sporting arena where he managed to make quite a name for himself as a star on both the football AND basketball teams. Taking away many trophies and accolades for his efforts and accomplishments, these rewards couldn't hold a candle to the most important part of his experiences at school,…the relationship he built and shared with his high school sweetheart, Sharon Cronenworth. These two lovebirds had grown so deeply in love with each other that they decided to join in marriage right out of high school in 1958. Together they welcomed four beautiful children into the world; Carl, Brian, William and Julia. Vince raised his family in Detroit and in 1983 moved to Warren, where he was also a devout member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Throughout their childhood years, Vince coached basketball at St. David's Church, and also served as a Cub Scout leader where he was proud to see all three of his boys participate. Vince & Sharon enjoyed 36 wonderful years together until Sharon's battle with cancer came to an end; she passed away in 1994.Not long after Sharon's death, God shone down on Vince once again,…this time through the gift of a wonderful woman by the name of Cheryl Riddell. It was a friendship that grew to love, and ultimately to the throes of marriage, a ceremony they shared together in 1995. With that relationship and bond came another 2 children for Vince to love, Amy and Andy,…which brought the total to 6 incredible children, with spouses in tow as well. And with all those children to count on, Vince was a blessed man to enjoy 21 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren before headin' to Heaven. Another special blessing that accompanied his marriage to Cheryl was the many wonderful friends he made from within the Dearborn community. From the many meals, trips and events they enjoyed together, he leaves to cherish his memory; Rick & Judy Polcyn, Bill & Judi Kinard, Ron & Rose Wiggle, Pat Ozybko, Pat Maslowski, and Kay Loughran. Vince's early years of employment were spent at Chrysler where he learned many of the important aspects of the automotive industry and gave the best of his hard work ethics in serving the company with pride. It was in the early 80's that a huge change would come, and it was then that Vince decided to switch from Chrysler to General Motors where he went to work at their GM Tech Center as a Metal Model Maker. At both Chrysler and General Motors, Vince was honored to be part of the automotive union in which he made many wonderful friends whose friendships lasted throughout his life. It was a bond that he held quite dear over the years. And not merely a union member, Vince was an important cog in the union's planning machine and was an integral part of organizing and coordinating countless meetings, Christmas parties, softball teams,…and the annual "famous" Super Bowl parties he was noted to host. From extending the utmost in service excellence to both automotive giants,…to his unquestioned loyalty to his union brothers, it was with much pride and a feeling of accomplishment that Vince accepted his well-deserved retirement in 2006. Yet even though he was retired, that certainly didn't mean he was inactive. Vince was the kind of guy who was always thinking of others, and could now do some of the things that really mattered. For Vince, that translated into helping out with Meals on Wheels, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and the Warren Women's Shelter, all three of which were regular outreaches to his community that he loved and cared for with a passion. Retirement also afforded Vince the times he enjoyed driving his Cadillacs,…and cruisin' on over to a friend's house to just hang out. Remaining close to his union ties was something Vince deemed very important as well. He may have been out of work, but he certainly wasn't out of touch with the work and efforts of the union he supported so deeply. And though many pay little or no attention to their school class reunions, this was another area in which Vince was extremely passionate. Those reunions, with many of the friendships and people who helped mold the person he had become, were always a pinnacle date on Vince's calendar.Yet of all the joys and pleasures that retirement wrought, nothing came close to the matchless love & blessings of his beloved Cheryl and his treasured family,…especially his precious cherubs, the grandchildren. To them, he was known simply as "Papa"…and in his eyes, they could do no wrong. Papa adored his grandchildren and they were truly the light of his life. So many memories were made between them, and many of them were enjoyed right in Papa's backyard. Vince made sure it was a place they would not soon forget, with highlights such as the many lawn games on hand, the infamous Slip'N'Slide, and the little playhouse the adorned the yard. And just like the Vegas motto,…What happens at Papa's stays at Papa's! Vince was also quite the "attentive" Papa as well. From hiking the kids to & from school to attending many of their games, track meets, recitals and concerts, there was definitely no mistaking Vince's unconditional love for them all. As for Vince's family in general, a pretty important emanation of his love came to pass each time the BBQ grill made an appearance. That meant something good was about to be eaten, and Vince never did anything small when it came to food,…there was always more than enough to satisfy ones taste buds. If you left hungry from Papa's Place, you just weren't tryin'! Kind & generous; a man of deep & abiding faith and compassion, these and more paint the picture of a man who touched a multitude of hearts and souls in his journey through life. Vince always found the good in others, never speaking badly of anyone. He welcomed all into his home with open arms which often meant you were soon to partake of a great meal. He was a warm and inviting host that treated you like royalty,…and always with that special twinkle in his eye. Vince's last year was a tough row-to-hoe, a year met with the overwhelming challenges that accompany Parkinson's Disease and dementia. But the evidence of God's grace was in Vince's ability to remain at home with family and friends by his side,…they truly made a difference. From Cheryl's loving care, to the help and comfort offered by his sister-in-law, Heather, to the outpouring of love from friends & neighbors alike, each of these "angels" made Vince's challenges so much easier to bear.A loving husband, father and Papa, Vince leaves a storehouse of warm and wonderful memories for all to cherish and embrace who were blessed to know this incredible man. Possessing the heart of a servant, the courage of a warrior, and the mind of a genius, Vince walked his own yellow brick road up to Heaven and now awaits his loved ones as they arrive,…a whole new kind of "reunion" for him to anticipate. Go Rest High, Vince,…you will be missed immensely. Mr. Pizzimenti was the beloved husband of Cheryl, and the late Sharon Pizzimenti. He was the dear father of Brian (Karin) Pizzimenti, William (Julie Lyn) Pizzimenti, Julia (Alan) Modlinski, and the late Carl Pizzimenti. Mr. Pizzimenti was the loving Papa of Danielle, Desiree, Kaitlin, Harper, Alexandra, Stephanie, Vincent, Ashley, Will, Brian Jr., Anna, Evan, Jozef, Emily, Ethan, Samantha, Heidi, Eva, Julia, Alex, and Billy. Also the Great-Grandpa of Jonathan, Maximus, Mayzie, Leanna, Hunter, Dexter, Olivia, and Liko. Visitation for Mr. Pizzimenti will be held Sunday, May 21st from 3-9pm, with a 7pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Road) in Warren. Mr. Pizzimenti will lie in state on Monday from 9:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Warren.Memorial donations are welcomed to Beaumont Hospice, 1410 E. 14 Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071,...or to Meals on Wheels, 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 10, Clinton Township, Michigan 48036. Please share memories of Mr. Pizzimenti at his memory book above.
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