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Welcome to the memorial page for

Al Szaroletta

March 2, 1929 ~ October 30, 2015 (age 86) 86 Years Old
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A candle was lit by The Kirouac Family on December 4, 2015 4:02 PM
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A candle was lit by jeffrey tormala on November 5, 2015 11:40 PM
Message from Carrie Hoefferle
November 5, 2015 6:01 PM

Dear Szaroletta family,
I am so sad to hear of Al's passing. A bright light has gone out from this earth. He was so good and so kind to my Mom in her long illness and to us kids as she was passing away last year. He fed us for a week! He was so humble and so giving to so many, a true friend to all. He will be missed by so many, but he has earned his long rest and peace and reunion with those who have gone before.
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A candle was lit by So sorry for your loss ~Kathleen Arbach on November 4, 2015 9:08 AM
Message from Tom and Lisa Smith, and family
November 4, 2015 8:54 AM

Diane, Jim, Carol, Pat, Steve, Mark, and family,

We were so saddened to hear of the passing of your dear father. Al was such a kind and generous man, and a wonderful friend and neighbor to our family, and to so many others. I know that your dad touched many lives, including my own. He was always so good to me, always. The kindness of your mom and dad, and all of you, made our little neighborhood such a great place to grow up. Yes Steve, two wonderful souls have been welcomed into Heaven.

Praying that God gives you strength and comfort.
Message from Your Son
November 4, 2015 8:38 AM

Why does the world go on as if nothing happened? Don’t people know what’s happened?

You knew this world when it was hard and unforgiving, when labor was real and trials were certain.
You saw your big brother’s life tragically end when you were too young to understand.
You saw your childhood home burn, leaving only memories.
You lost your son at the age of two, had a special needs child in that same year, and lost both parents in that same decade.
You retired early to finally be full-time with your wife only to spend those first four years caring for her and seeing her suffer.

Why does the world go on as if nothing has happened?

You were an example, a role model, that’s truly rare in this day.
You were a role model that is difficult to emulate, this I truly know.
You were a man of humble possessions, not wanting for yourself.
You weren’t bound by the wants and desires of this mankind’s world.
You had a generosity that well went beyond your gift giving and charity, which was well beyond that of most.
You served our country during the Korean War.
You served through your church.
You served through St Vincent DePaul .
You served through the Knights of Columbus.
You served through the Visitor’s Center.
You served so many in so many ways.
You did not show your burdens but went out of your way to ease those of others.
You never asked for help but always helped others.
You did not judge but graced everyone with your caring and understanding ways.
You always saw the good in others.
You didn’t struggle with what’s wrong with this world but lived to make this world better.
You didn’t want accolades because your work wasn’t about you, because you didn’t want to take anything from others.

Why does the world go on as if nothing has happened?

You cherished and unconditionally loved your family.
You saw every one of your children as a blessing.
You made every Christmas, every holiday, every special moment a joy for each of us.
You insisted on making every visit a vacation, not even letting us do the dishes; cooking our favorite foods while we hiked or hunted, down to that last burdensome batch of pasties in your final days.
You turned down job opportunities because you didn’t want to burden your family with a move.
Your burdens kept you from doing things that others would’ve wanted but you saw to it that your children got the best start in life.
You gave each of us a childhood that was better than most, almost idyllic.
You never asked for anything in return.
You had patience that others didn’t deserve.
You patiently taught your skills and wonderful abilities.
You were a grandfather who your grandchildren loved to be with, even though you weren’t tech savvy or current on popular culture.
We were incredibly blessed to have you as a father, a grandfather, a friend, a citizen, this is certain.

Why does the world go on as if nothing has happened?

You suffered in the end, for how long we do not know.
You met your final burden as you went through life, with grace and dignity.
You took that final and greatest burden onto yourself, only yourself, as you did with all of your burdens.
You continued your work beyond when most would’ve given up.
You gave your wife that final gift of love, going to her on the eve of her birthday.

Why does the world go on as if nothing has happened?

Something has happened and the world should know.
This humble writing doesn’t come close to appreciating what you’ve meant.
The world needs to know what you’ve meant, how you made it better.
This world may not know that it knows you, but it does.
You live on in the example of every life that you’ve touched, every person who’s better because of you.
This world is a better place because you were in it.
There are people in history who are great because they’ve built kingdoms or amassed fortunes, but your greatness was beyond any of them.
You showed that greatness can truly come from humility.
You were a shining witness to Christ.
Know that you are truly loved.

Rest in peace, dad.
Enjoy, for nobody deserves it more.

PS – Say hi to mom for me and tell Andy that I can’t wait to meet him
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A candle was lit by Tom and Lisa Smith on November 4, 2015 8:32 AM
Message from Beth Goard Agen
November 3, 2015 3:19 PM

Sorry for your loss. Your father was a lovely man. He always had a kind word to say. I remember him fondly for Holy Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Beth
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A candle was lit by Beth Goard Agen on November 3, 2015 3:17 PM
Message from Tom and Lisa Smith, and family
November 3, 2015 1:35 PM

Diane, Jim, Carol, Pat, Steve, and Mark, we were so saddened to hear of your father's passing. He was such a kind and generous man, and a wonderful neighbor and friend to our family. I know his kindness touched many lives; it touched me even as a young child, he was always so good to me. Our neighborhood was such a great place to grow up because of folks like you and your mom and dad.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Message from Mary (Block) Glanville
November 3, 2015 11:49 AM

I was so sorry to hear of Al's passing. I am keeping you all in my prayers. He was a good and faithful servant and I am sure the Lord has him in in His arms. Both of your parents were such good friends to mine through all these years and are greatly missed.
Message from Mary TenBrock
November 3, 2015 10:28 AM

Mark and family,
I am keeping you in my prayers during this difficult time.
Message from Randy & Pat Adams
November 3, 2015 9:33 AM

Jim & Susan...

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family to find comfort during the time.

Randy & Pat
Message from Bill and Kathi Miller
November 2, 2015 8:37 PM

So sorry for this loss. Loved Al and visiting him at his property on the Norwich.
Expression of Sympathy

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A DIGNITY IN WHITE PEDESTAL ARRANGEMENT was sent by Mike and Judy Heneka on November 2, 2015

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A candle was lit by Pat and Beate Johnson on November 2, 2015 5:15 PM
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A candle was lit by Kristy Dobbins on November 2, 2015 1:54 PM
Message from Durand & Ericka Stephens
November 2, 2015 1:13 PM

Dear Pat,
I am so sorry about your family’s loss. May God be with you during this difficult time. Durand and I will continue praying for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Durand & Ericka Stephens
Expression of Sympathy

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A SPATHIPHYLLUM was ordered on November 2, 2015

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A candle was lit by Jim and Gina White on November 2, 2015 12:04 PM
Expression of Sympathy

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An EXPRESSION OF LOVEEASEL was sent on November 2, 2015

Pat Szaroletta, You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Our condolences on the passing of your father. - Faurecia (The Sterling Heights - Merrill Road Team)

Message from Jim Szaroletta (son)
November 2, 2015 10:27 AM

It was many years ago I wrote a letter to your mother when your great grandma Yvonne died. I am writing you to tell you about your great grandpa Al who just passed away. You never met him so hopefully this makes sense.

You see a lot of him in me…..

 I like spending time with the family like he did. This is why we have our Saturday ritual of going to the “Y”, having lunch at McDonalds, going to a park, going back to the Y to swim and capping it all off with Yolo’s yogurt.
 I constantly putter like he did. This is why everyone knows you in Home Depot and why people think I work there. This is also why we attend every Kid’s workshop to build birdhouses, cars, and so on.
 I like to cook like he did. I’m sure he would diss my version of a pasty but at least my chili is more than ground beef, gumbo soup and kidney beans.
 I talk to strangers for no reason like he did. Why, I have no clue but when I see someone wearing a Michigan or Wisconsin sweatshirt, I just have to ask….
 I have a deep faith like he did. This is why I make sure you go to “church school” on Sunday.
 I like the Detroit Lions like he did. Your mom really needs to get rid of the Packer clothes she forces you to wear! On second thought, stay away from the Lions and keep cheering for a winner.
 I have a very dry sense of humor like he did. And yes, there is a hint of sarcasm involved. This is why Nana has to occasionally tell people “he’s kidding”!
 I like to go for car rides like he did. Grandma and Grandpa went for a ride every night after dinner. Maybe this is why we take rides to run the dogs and to look for trains.
 I am not a fashion statement just as he wasn’t. I won’t be unless sweats become the next leisure suit.

What I remember about great grandpa Al….
 He never seemed to get to excited, no matter what was going wrong. I had two winter accidents in less than a month. He took the keys away and gave them back when he wanted to go for a ride during a snowstorm. Spent to whole time telling me how to drive in snow.
 He always supported his kids. I played on a really bad high school football team. After every loss his comment was “other than a couple plays, you guys played a pretty good game”.
 He was a practical joker. He even hid an Easter basket on top of the garage chimney once.
 He loved to decorate for Christmas. His outside nativity set was the talk of the town. Several cars would drive by at night to look at it.
 He grew enough food in the garden(s) to feed 50 people. This is why we would eat green beans for 50 days straight when they were ripe. Great grandma didn’t want to freeze any since running the chest freezer in the basement cost $5/month…..
 He took care of the elderly around the neighborhood. We usually had some of them over for Thanksgiving and he would make after dinner drinks for the ladies. He always made them strong meaning I usually walked someone home.
 He would never vote for Democrat…….

Godspeed

Poppy
Message from Gayle and Pierre Laganiere
November 2, 2015 10:22 AM

May you find comfort knowing that his pain is over and he is safe in the arms of Christ. Love and prayers for your whole family, so glad you were able to spend time with your dad.
Message from Franz Hoefferle
November 2, 2015 9:33 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with the Szaroletta family. Al was such a good friend to my mother Helen. They collaborated on so much at St Vincent's, the parish and community. May he rest in peace.
Expression of Sympathy

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A MONET'S GARDEN TABLE BASKET was ordered on November 2, 2015

Message from Harold & Irene Amos
November 1, 2015 9:42 PM

We are so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was a wonderful man, and will be greatly missed.
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A candle was lit by Kathy & Randy on November 1, 2015 8:41 PM
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A candle was lit by A Veteran to a Veteran , RIP on November 1, 2015 3:48 PM
Message from Debbie
November 1, 2015 2:13 PM

Al was one of the most wonderful people I know. So glad he's finally with Yvonne.
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A candle was lit by Sue Ernest & Dale Kempen. You will be missed Al. R.I.P. on November 1, 2015 8:27 AM
Message from Nancy (Smith) Walker
November 1, 2015 7:26 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Message from Ann Ceballos
November 1, 2015 9:00 PM

Al was a e wonderful and giving human being. And even though I have not talked to him for some time, i will not forget his kindness.
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