Greg Ham Obituary

Greg Ham attended Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Greg Ham.

Graduation Year	Class of 1972
Date of Passing	Jun 13, 2020
About	(no additional information)
Events	Gregory Felix Ham, a resident of Milford, MI, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020. He was 66 years old. Greg was born to Bob and Rita (Charbonneau) Ham on July 9, 1953. Greg and his 5 siblings were raised in Dearborn, MI and spent summers at the family cottage in Highland, MI. The cottage, fondly known as “The Ham Shack,” was so dear to Greg that he purchased and remodeled a neighboring home on Duck Lake in 1977. He spent many days boating on the water, entertaining family and friends during this time. In 1984, he welcomed his daughter Lisa, whom he shared with his former spouse Susan. Greg was a devoted father, who beamed with pride whenever he spoke of his daughter. Greg married his wife Susanne in 2007, whom he adored. Together, Susanne and Greg enjoyed time in nature near their residence in Milford, MI, regularly taking long walks through Kensington Metropark with their Newfoundland dogs, or kayaking the Huron River. They vacationed in picturesque coastal towns, while treasure hunting at antique shops and enjoying the company of close friends and family. Greg was a loving stepfather to John, David, and Brian McVeigh as well as a doting grandfather to Giana, Aria, and Jayce. Greg was a skilled fabricator and worked as a tinsmith for General Motors for 44 years. His creativity and ingenuity shone through in his metal work, and he was always pushing himself to try new techniques and improve his craft. The time he spent with his shop equipment was almost always in service of others. Whether it was by fabricating a hard-to-find reproduction car part, or designing beautiful copper fence post caps, Greg loved putting his great talent to use for his friends and loved ones. Greg was also an enthusiast of classic cars, and he spent much of his free time restoring his ‘39 Ford truck or maintaining his prized ‘58 Corvette. He enjoyed sharing this hobby with others and when he wasn’t in his own garage, he was often at a friend’s, helping with the latest restoration project, or even building a one of a kind rat rod. He could never pass up a car show, and was a regular at the local Sunday cruise, always eager to strike up a conversation with other like minded enthusiasts. A lifelong athlete, Greg’s favorite way to stay in shape was to spend time on the basketball court. He played in amateur tournaments throughout the ‘90s, and spent countless hours on the court at the company wellness center. He shared the passion for basketball with his stepsons, and he valued the time he spent bonding with them over many games of 1 on 1. They will attest that he never took it easy on them, and he had a killer hook shot. Greg is also recalled as a great dancer, who regularly channeled his inner Gene Kelly and could gracefully dip and spin even the most demure of dance partners. His daughter Lisa remembers dancing with Greg in the living room, standing on her father’s toes as he two-stepped to their favorite song “Sunshine Lady.” In 2019 at her wedding, Lisa and Greg shared their last dance together to that very song. Perhaps most importantly, Greg is remembered by all who knew him as a kindhearted and gracious man, who always saw the good in everyone. He was a glass-half-full kind of guy, and he would rush to fill your glass if he saw it was nearly empty. He loved his family and friends deeply and expressed that love through his innumerable acts of kindness, both big and small. If a picture needed to be hung, a part needed to be made or furniture needed to be moved, Greg was there at a moment’s notice, greeting you with his gentle laugh and a smile on his face. Greg is survived by his beloved wife, Susanne; daughter, Lisa (Jon Williams) Ham; step sons, John McVeigh, David McVeigh and Brian (Chelsea) McVeigh; grandchildren, Giana, Aria and Jayce McVeigh; siblings, Frances (Jim) Dye, Jeannette Arnesen and Brian Ham as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rita Ham; brother, Gary Ham and his sister, Sandra Krawczyk.