Leo Gurunian

Leo Gurunian, age 92, was born August 21, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family in Novi, Michigan on August 7, 2024.  He was preceded in death by his father, Sarkis (Sam) Gurunian and mother, Mary Zaratzian Gurunian, his beloved wife, Mary Vivian Gurunian, his second wife, Eunice Gurunian, his dear brother, Richard (and Beatrice) Gurunian, his dear brother, Charles (Chuck) Gurunian, his sister, Ruth Gurunian, and his nephew, Jeff Gurunian.  Leo is survived by his three daughters, Lea Schmidt, Lynn (and Frank) Guastella, and Christine (and Mike) Roggow, as well as his six grandchildren Mackenzie, Brendan, and Rachel Schmidt, Nicole and Kate Roggow, and Theresa Guastella.  He is also survived by his nephew, Rick (and Sandy Sanders) Gurunian and many cousins.

Leo and his brothers enjoyed many summers at the family cottage in Lexington, Michigan.  He graduated from high school in Detroit.  While contemplating joining the military, Leo was drafted into the Army in January 1952.  He served in the Korean War, and was deployed to Germany, where he served for two years.  On his furlough times, he had good memories of traveling with his Army buddies around Europe.

When he returned from his military service, he and his brother Richard joined the Dolphin Divers Scuba club, where he eventually met his first wife Mary.  They enjoyed traveling and diving with his brother Richard, his nephew Rick, and their good friends Leonard and Eunice Kennedy.  Leo and Mary married on June 6, 1966, and started a family the following year. 

Leo and his brother Richard bought the family dry-cleaning business, Sam the Tailor, in Detroit from their father in 1955, which they successfully ran for 43 years and had many loyal customers. 

In 1997, after losing his first wife in 1973, he married his long-time friend Eunice Kennedy.  Leo also retired that year, and built a home in Marathon, Florida.  He and Eunice enjoyed many happy winters in the Florida Keys playing tennis, swimming, and scuba diving.  He met many good neighbors and always loved when his daughters and their families came to visit.  He often spoke of how much he loved the peaceful view of the water, where he docked his boat, and often saw dolphin, manatees, and other sea life.

He moved to Fox Run retirement community, where he met many good friends and enjoyed playing his oud.  He joined the Pickleball Club there and spent several hours a week on the courts.

Family and friends meant everything to Leo.  Common words that his family heard people use to describe Leo were kind, generous, thoughtful, selfless, sweet, and loving.  He made friends everywhere he went and valued every friendship he made.  He instilled in his daughters just how important family is, and he often stated how lucky he was that he had such a good family.  In reality, we (his family) are the lucky ones!  Leo had a positive impact on everyone he met, and if you were fortunate enough to know him, you know what this means. 

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Charity of your choice in Leo's memory.

A Memorial visitation will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 3pm until time of service at 7pm at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home 33603 Grand River Ave., Farmington, Michigan 48335.

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