Roman C. Kunecki

Roman C. Kunecki, loving husband and father passed away Friday August 16, 2019, one day before his 94th Birthday. He has joined his beautiful wife Patty. She was called to heaven before him to sing lullabies to their grandsons, Jalon and Jamin. He was also preceded in death by his most precious and loving daughter, Michelle (Shelly) Kunecki Grabau. His greatest desire was to spend eternity with Patty and Shelly. Romie is survived by four children; Dawn, Shawn, Monica and Jeffrey. He has thirteen grandchildren and two special granddaughters. Elyssa (Hilaski) Host, who while attending college and working two and three jobs, took the time to call him grandpa and visited with him. Joychellee Kunecki also called him grandpa and never disrespected him in any way. Romie was blessed with a sister, Elaine Kozloski. He also has many nieces and nephews from the Sasak, Sedlecky and Masiewicz families and his special nephew Jim (Suzanne) Kosloski. Romie was born on August 17, 1925 to loving and caring parents, John and Pauline (Zulski) Kunecki. They were Polish immigrants who struggled through the depression to provide for their family. Before Romie was born his baby brother, Frank passed away. Romie lived his life with Polish pride and was especially proud to be a west sider. Roman only spoke Polish till he was seven years old. He was taught English by a nun at St. Isidore’s School. Romie was fortunate to attend and graduate from Davis Tech in January 1943. He joined the Navy and was selected to attend Naval Flight School, for two years he attended college and trained to be a pilot. The war ended three months before graduation, but he chose to go back home to his sweetheart. When Romie was twelve, fell in love with another westsider, Patricia Rose Sasak. He told his best friend that he was going to marry her when he grew up and ten years later, he married the love of his life on June 12th, 1948, that love never died. When Patty was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he took care of her for the next fourteen years. Roman went to work for the postal service as a carrier and retired in 1987 as a maintenance supervisor. During his lifetime, Romie enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed watching football on TV. It brought back memories of making all city quarterback in Grand Rapids and playing against Georgia Tech while in the Navy. He also had an adventurous spirit, when he was sixteen along with his best buddy Spike, they walked and hitchhiked all around Lake Michigan. He got in big trouble for not letting his folks know that they were going for a walk. But it turned out to be a great memory. Roman was a member of the American Legion Post 356 and at one time was a member of the Polish Union in Muskegon. Romie was very fortunate to live on Murray Lake for many years and have great families as neighbors; the Nikodemskis, Halls and Allens. Romie was blessed with a special friend Russ (Pat) Reams. Russ became the brother Romie had never known. He had two great friends, Olive Krauss of Wyoming and Eleanor Gallant of Muskegon. There are no words to describe the devoted son he was, as a son-in-law to Chris and Ann Kotsifis, he was always there to help. In 2004, Romie fell in love again, he leaves his wife Joanne K. Lubbers (Naperala) to mourn him. With Joanne he once again loved, laughed, cried, sang and danced. He was loved and respected by Joanne’s children; Glory Deering and Steve Lubbinge, Christie Lubbers and Karl (Deb) Lubbers of Florida, Joanne’s grandchildren: Adam Deering, Audra (Dick) Richards, Travis , Jenae Lubbers and Tyler Lubbers and Dominic DiCesare and great grandchildren; Gavyn and Grady Richards and Kylie Lubbers. Romie also appreciated how warm and welcoming the extended Lubbers family was to him, also Judy Naperala of California, his sister-in-law, who he considered his sister. A Graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery. Thank you to the bond of Angels from Emmanuel Hospice, Lacks Cancer Center and Mary Free Bed, St. Mary’s emergency, AMR and Life Ambulance Service and especially the caregiver from Alliance who gave such special loving care.

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Roman C. Kunecki

August 17, 1925 - August 16, 2019