Thomas Wozniak
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Thomas Wozniak, age 76, of Rockford, Michigan, died on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Valley View Care Center. Tom was born on March 26, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Stanley and Josephine (Czerkies) Wozniak. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Detroit, Michigan, with the class of 1961. Tom joined the Army Reserves where he served for six years. After discharge, he went to the Elsa Cooper School of Court Reporting, and subsequently worked for Recorders Court in the City of Detroit. Tom also earned an Associate Degree from Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan. He was an avid hockey player at Notre Dame and beyond and was also a hockey coach for his sons in Fraser and Petoskey, Michigan. He also coached girls' softball on the waterfront in Petoskey for several years. On May 7, 1966, Tom married Priscilla Jane Weitlauf in Detroit, Michigan at Guardian Angel Catholic Church. They made their home in Detroit and then moved to Utica, Michigan before moving to the Walloon Lake, Michigan area in 1980, where they raised their three children. After moving to northern Michigan, Tom worked as the official court reporter for Emmet and Charlevoix Counties. They then moved to Rockford, Michigan in 2010 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Tom is survived by his wife, Jane, of 53 years, a son, Kevin (wife Amy), and daughter, Karen Karatkiewicz. Six grandchildren include Alex and Evan Karatkiewicz from Grand Rapids, Jared and Megan Wozniak from Howard City, and Bradley and Katie Wozniak from Traverse City, a sister, Geraldine Harre and sister-in-law Gail Wozniak both from California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Josephine Wozniak, his oldest son, Kenneth Wozniak, his brother Robert Wozniak, and a nephew Darryl Stihler. Visitation will be at St. Margaret Mary Traditional Catholic Church in Allendale, MI, 11358 Brown Ave. at 10:00 AM Saturday, October 26, 2019. The Rosary will be said at 11:00 AM with the Requiem Mass to follow. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI. A luncheon will be served back at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made for Masses to be offered in Tom's name or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. (www.michaeljfox.org/donate)