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Robert
Pawelak
May 20, 1942 — Jan 26, 2023
Robert (Bob) Pawelak passed away on January 26, 2023. Bob showed courage and determination battling numerous medical issues during recent years and stayed strong and optimistic throughout.
Bob was born May 20, 1942 in Delray, Michigan to Frank and Natalie, and was the youngest sibling of Frank (Joan), Michael (Marlene), and Patricia (Vincent Terranova). His youth was centered around playing sports, especially baseball, and included a try-out with the Detroit Tigers farm club during his senior year of high-school. His dream of playing pro-baseball came true when he turned 50 years old and attended the Tigers Fantasy Camp with players from the 1968 World Series Team.
Bob met the absolute love of his life in junior high, Joanne, and they have been married for 60 years. Bob and Joanne enjoyed spending time with family, travelling with friends, and attending their grandchildren's sporting events. Bob also enjoyed time at his cabin up-north with his brother-in-law, Bob Vick (Jackie McParlane).
Bob worked as an engineer for 40 plus years at General Motors and retired as a Supervisor of Quality Control.
Bob was preceded in death by daughter Christine, his parents, his brother Michael, and sister-in-law Sharon Griffith.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife Joanne, loving daughters Sandy Black (Ken) and Debbie Browne (Pat), loving grandchildren Ashton, Mikayla, Michael, and Brendan, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In-lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association , Diabetes Association , or St. Jude's Hospital .
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert Pawelak, please visit our Tree Store.
This obituary is published with permission of the family of Robert Pawelak and may not be copied © 2026
Donations:
American Heart Association
26555 Evergreen Rd., Suite 570, Southfield MI 48076
Tel:
1-248-936-5800
Web:
https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/michigan/detroit
American Diabetes Association
Web:
https://diabetes.org/
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel:
1-800-805-5856
Web:
http://www.stjude.org/
Wednesday
Thayer-Rock Funeral Home
2:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday
Thayer-Rock Funeral Home
Starts at 7:00 pm
Thursday
St. James Catholic Church
Starts at 10:00 am
Thursday
St. James Catholic Church
Starts at 10:30 am
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