Harry Philip Szymanski Sr

Harry Philip Szymanski Sr, 95, of Metz, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family October 20, 2018 at Medilodge of Rogers City. 

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Harry was born June 30, 1923 in Metz to Frank and Veronica (Lijewski) Szymanski. Harry met the love of his life, Stella June Huntley, while working for a lumbering camp near Lake May. 

He and Stella married September 4, 1947 and enjoyed 50 years together. During that time, they were blessed with 16 children, 12 girls and four boys; Rosemary Stanfield of Clio, Susan (Stanley) Sobek of Posen, Teresa (Rodney) Lewandowski of Hawks, Judith (Robert) Szott of Grand Lake, Harry (Melissa) Szymanski Jr. of Long Lake, Veronica (Lee) Dickerson of Grand Blanc, Helen (Tom) Polaski of Milan, Pamela Zubal of Rogers City, Mary Nefske of Alpena, Karen Liedtke of Rogers City, Mark (Kim) Szymanski of Mt. Morris, Brian Szymanski of Metz, Sandra (Mike) Gittleson of Ann Arbor, Denise (Mark) Lewandowski of Posen, Jamie (Renee) Szymanski of Millersburg and Melissa (Sam) Mau of Ash Grove, Missouri. They shared 50 grandchildren, Dawn, Johnna, Tiffany, Joe, Jeanne, Michael, Mindy, Matthew, Tammy, Sherie, Vince, Paul, Sheila, Collette, Nicole, Terry, Jason, Kevin, Dusty, Chad, April, Alissa, Nathan, Curtis, Ryan, Desiree, Annah, Emmy, Katie, Leigha, Carlie, Jillian, Gavin, Sarah, Julia, Paige, Chase, Jenna, Megan, Kaylee, Casey, Josie, Matthew, MaryLaura, Braeden, Ali, Tanner, Emma, Aubrey and Brian; 67 great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren; and another two greats expected in 2019. 

He leaves a true legacy. Harry was a woodsman, a trapper, a gardener, a friend, a puzzle enthusiast, a flirt, a storyteller, a jokester, a fighter and so much more. He was a good and honest man who enjoyed a lively game of spitzer or rummy. He had a knack for assigning nicknames that held more meaning than a birth name. He loved sharing stories of his younger years, embellishing, making them larger than life. Nothing warmed his heart more than getting a fit of giggles from the grands while shaking their hands, rattling off names of his five best dogs from his yester years. His secret to a beautiful, fruitful garden was to talk to it each day. And nothing made him more proud than his walnut tree. He would sit and watch the birds, passing cars, while sipping on a warm beer. In the winter months after hours of trapping, he would return to a warm meal, an afternoon watching figure skating, attend mass and spend the evening watching “Grand Ole Opry” or “Austin City Limits.” On any Sunday morning, you would catch him ponied up to the radio, listening to polkas. He enjoyed the simple things in life but had depth beyond words. Harry is and will always be loved in every way.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella; parents Frank and Veronica Szymanski; seven brothers, Chester, Philip, Ted, Martin, Frank, David and John; a sister, Jeannie Lang; and a son-in-law, John Stanfield.

Friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home today (Thursday, October 25) from 4 – 8 p.m. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. followed by the parish wake service. Visitation will resume Friday at St. Dominic Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the St. Dominic Catholic Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org.