Thaddeus (Todd) George Lipzinski

On the 21st of November, 2014 Thaddeus (Todd) George Lipzinski passed away at the age of 94, after a long and fulfilling life. He was born on February 22, 1920, to John Stanley Lipzinski and Apollonia Helen (Wosinski) Lipzinski. Todd’s parents’ relocated to Balboa, Panama to construct the Panama Canal where Todd was born in the city of Ancon, Canal Zone, Balboa, Panama. And this was where Todd spent his adolescent years. As a young man, Todd worked on the Canal construction as an equipment operator and served in the Navy during WWII. After the war, he lived in California and later, Illinois, pursuing his passion of playing and teaching golf. As golf was not as lucrative as the sport is today, Todd became an insurance and later a cleaning chemicals salesman to support his family and dreams. Todd was an honest salesman who believed in and stood by his products and customers. Todd was very proud of his Lipczynski polish heritage. He was a long time member of the West Michigan Golf Association, the GR Elks, Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Schubert Chorus Group. Todd won, placed and participated in many of the areas golfing tournaments and had 3 Hole-In-Ones in his life time. Todd married Alice Mildred Creswell in Chicago, Illinois on September 24, 1949, and a couple of years later they moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan were Todd’s family then resided. They were married for 62 years, prior to Alice’s passing. Together they raised two sons, John Alan (Corliss) of Salt Lake City, Utah and Mark Steven (Long Time Companion Mary Bastianelli) of Grand Rapids. He was also the proud and devoted grandfather of Joseph and Julia. Todd is survived by his children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and was preceded in death by his wife, Alice and brother, Louis. The Family would like to thank the caregivers at Clark’s Retirement Community where Todd resided the last 2.5 years of his life, as well as the caregivers at St Mary’s Hospital. Friends and relations can celebrate Todd’s life on Sunday, November 30, from 4 to 6 PM at Arsulowicz Mortuary, 937 Michigan St NE., Grand Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, December 1, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr., Grand Rapids. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

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Thaddeus (Todd) George Lipzinski

February 22, 1920 - November 21, 2014