Fordson High School Alumni
Dearborn, Michigan (MI)
Gerald Marszalek Obituary
Gerald Marszalek was faculty at Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Gerald Marszalek.
| School Role | Faculty |
| Date of Passing | Sep 18, 2022 |
| About | Gerald E. Marszalek Visitation Thursday, Sep 22, 2022 2:00 PM-8:00 PM Evening Service Thursday, Sep 22, 2022 7:00 PM Funeral Service - In state Friday, Sep 23, 2022 10:00 AM-10:30 AM Funeral Service Friday, Sep 23, 2022 10:30 AM Gerald E. Marszalek April 27, 1945 - September 18, 2022 Age 77. Beloved husband of the late Eleanor. Loving father of Gayle (Bryan) Pendergrass and Ellen Ramirez. Cherished grandfather of Jacob and Alyssa Pendergrass, Angelo and Alexandria Ramirez, and Henry Mitchell, Jr. Dearest brother of John, Barbara Helton, James, Gary, and the late Cynthia Heidtman. Visitation Thursday 2-8pm with a 7pm Evening Service at John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 N. Inkster Road, Garden City. (Between Ford Road and Cherry Hill.) In state Friday 10am until the 10:30am Funeral Service at St. Sabina Catholic Church, 25605 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights (East of Beech Daly.). Memorials suggested to Alzheimer’s Association. SERVICES Visitation Thursday, September 22, 2022 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home 1139 N. Inkster Road Garden City, Michigan 48135 Get Directions on Google Maps Evening Service Thursday, September 22, 2022 7:00 PM John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home 1139 N. Inkster Road Garden City, Michigan 48135 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Service - In state Friday, September 23, 2022 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM St. Sabina Catholic Church 25605 Ann Arbor Trail Dearborn Heights,, Michigan Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Service Friday, September 23, 2022 10:30 AM St. Sabina Catholic Church 25605 Ann Arbor Trail Dearborn Heights,, Michigan From Jerry's classmates.com page: "Life" The Marszalek family had 5 of 6 children attend CODY. Brothers : John '60, Jerry '63, Jim, '67 & sisters : Barbara '65, Cindy 70's. I married fellow classmate, Eleanor Greco on May 21, 1966. We have 2 adult daughters. Gayle is a teacher in South Redford Schools & has 2 children; Jacob 17 & Alyssa 14. Ellen is a surgical nurse at Providence (Novi) has 2 children; Angelo 14 & Alexandria 11. I REALLY LOVE my grandkids. They are a special gift from God. I'm sure most of you share the same feelings for yours.. Sadly, Ellie passed away on Oct. 25, 2014 I miss her so. We had shared love for more than 53 years. She was my Cody High School Sweetheart. Ellie was very special to all who met her. I'm still good friends with Mike O'Neil. We've known each other since 4th grade. We always played ALL DAY LONG on Leslie School's playground. We played softball together for many years, but now are limited to golf. Mike & his wife Debbie were Ellie & my best friends. We tried to go out once a week to a movie & dinner, or sometimes a comedy club or concert. We had gone on short overnight trips with them. I retired from teaching after 35 years in Dearborn Schools in 2002. I really loved teaching.. Education has changed! It was the best thing I have recently done. I was coaching the Boys Wrestling team at Fordson High School (35 yrs). In 2006 I was inducted into the Michigan Wrestling Association's Hall of Fame. I also received recognition awards from The National Wrestling Coaches Assoc. & local All-American Officials Assoc. I have had numerous surgeries to repair old injuries. I had 5 back surgeries to fuse 4 vertebrae and clean up a MRSA infection. I have 2 knee replacements on the same knee. It became loose after awhile & needed to tighten it back up. I had been playing high level softball for many years and was actually good at it. We won State Championships several times. My physical activity now is limited to golf for fun (using a cart is a must). I belong to the "KONTINENTAL DOO WOP KRUISERS" which is a car & music club. We have quite a few of Cody people in the club. We have Car Shows each Tuesday in the summer from 5:30 'til 9:00 at the VFW hall on Schoolcraft just east of Inkster Rd. in Redford. Phil Varilone '63 is a close friend and we were allowed to guest DJ on Bob Silverberg's (Mackenzie '62) OLD & GOLD Radio Show WDTR 90.9 FM. Greg Innis (CODY '68) was a cohost with Bob for the last few years. We really enjoyed the show & loved to share our Doo Wop / R&B music with the listeners. Unfortunately, the program was dropped when the station went to Jazz & Classical. OLD & GOLD ran for over 26 years on Sundays & played only the best, rarest Doo Wop & R&B. Stop up & see us one day or come to the Annual 50's & 60's CODY Picnic at Hines Park Nankin Mills Pavilion each year on a Sunday in August. Comets are aplenty. Planning & running these very successful picnics is a great pleasure of Phil's & mine. Seeing all the COMETS laughing & hugging brings a big smile to my face. 2017 Picnic is Sun. Aug. 6 at Nankin Mills Pavilion of Hines Park. 11:00 am til 6:00 pm. School I was lucky enough to find my lifelong love at Cody. Ellie Greco was in the '64 class. When I first saw her I definitely had my eyes pop out. She was a stunner! We had been married for over 48 years & were very happy. We had dated for 5 years before that. Ellie went to summer school every year, so she got to graduate a year early in '63. She had her 17th birthday the first week in June & graduated the second week. I loved sports & participated as much as possible. I met many fine athletes & good friends. I was inspired to become a Teacher & Coach by my CODY coaches Bob McCullough (FB), Cass Cassucci (Bsktbll), & Fred "Arky" Cosgro (Baseball) . The only real Accomplishment as for awards was getting to play baseball 2 times in Tiger Stadium. I was also chosen to the All-City teams in Football & Baseball. I did receive the Outstanding Athlete Trophy & a Perfect Attendance Trophy when I graduated. I cherish those sports memories & the guys I met. College I graduated in January '63. I visited U-M & was offered a football scholarship. I also visited U-D and thought that as a smaller school, I had a better chance of playing sooner; also Michigan was not particularly good back then. I chose U-D. During my sophomore year, U-D dropped football. I was stunned. They said we would lose our scholarships. The team was going to be outstanding. We had just lost to Miami (Fla.) 10-7. Many players went on to participate in bowl games the next year at other schools. Two brothers from Canada, were playing (starting)for the Grey Cup (Canada's SuperBowl) with the Toronto Argonauts and WON. Several others went to Miami & played in the Liberty Bowl. I needed to find another scholarship at a nearby university. Being disillusioned & planning a marriage, I decided to finish my education & football career at EMU (Ypsilanti). I was ineligible because of transfer & in my senior year I suffered a severe knee injury during the first scrimmage. I played (not as well as I wanted to) the rest of the year on my gimpy knee. I graduated in '67 & earned a Master's in '74. I was formerly on the Alumni Board of Directors at EMU. I still have season tickets to EMU Football & basketball games and I'm optimistic that they will win more than they lose. Workplace I began Teaching Physical Education (Gym) & Science for the Dearborn Schools in '67. I produced an annual River Oaks School Elementary Physical Education Night video. It was shown on cable stations in the area. I also Coached Football & Track at the junior high level. I began a successful coaching career at FORDSON HIGH SCHOOL. I coached Football & Wrestling, winning many Awards & Championships. I retired from teaching after 35 years in 2002. I continued to coach Wrestling at Fordson up until 2008. As the Wrestling coach for 35 years at Fordson in Dearborn, I have been nominated & accepted into the Michigan Wrestling Association's Hall Of Fame. I also was honored by the National Wrestling Association for years of service & 400+ dual victories. Believe it or Not; I was honored by the All-American Officials Assoc. with their Sportsmanship Award in 1998. These are honors that few receive & I am very grateful. Military During Vietnam, I was deferred because I was in college & also becoming a teacher. Those were positions of privilege then. I admire & am extremely thankful for the sacrifices that our soldiers went through. Our Country, it's safety, & it's FREEDOM owes a great debt to the Armed Forces. I am humbled being around the Veterans. We honor them each year at the Picnics. Keep our service people in your thoughts & prayers for the tremendous sacrifice they are making for our safety." |
