Albert Frank Schulien, Jr.

Albert Frank Schulien, Jr. passed away on Friday, September 2nd at the age of 86. Albert was born on December 12, 1935, in Detroit, MI to Albert Frank and Stella Schulien. Albert was pre-deceased by his parents and baby sister Dolores.

Al met Joyce Marie Rixie at a youth group meeting and they were married on May 23, 1959 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Detroit, MI. Al graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1972, completing his degree in Mechanical Engineering at night school over 12 years. He spent most of his career in Manufacturing Engineering.

After living in Elgin, Illinois for several years, Al and Joyce moved to Randolph, New Jersey in 1974 and spent the next 20 years working and raising their children, participating as active members of Resurrection Parish, enjoying their neighbors who became like family to them, and vacationing on Long Beach Island.

In 1993, a job opportunity brought Al and Joyce back home to the Midwest where they settled in Mason, Michigan. There they fell in love with the town of Mason, their community, and the historic home of their dreams, The John Rayner House which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pride they had in carrying on the history of this 182-year-old home was known to all and they took every opportunity to share it with the community during historic home tours, as well as with their family and friends at their annual 4th of July celebration.

Al was a very active member of the Mason Knights of Columbus at St. James Church spending many years coordinating the Tootsie Roll Drive, place mat advertising sales, and Lenten Fish Fry. Al also spent many years as a member of the Ingham County Historic Commission. After retiring, he used his engineering experience to provide support to local businesses through RETAP (Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program), an organization that assisted businesses free of charge with pollution prevention and energy efficiency.

In 2021, Al and Joyce moved back to the East Coast to be near their daughter in Newtown, Connecticut and spent the last year with the most wonderful and loving community at Maplewood of Newtown. We are eternally grateful to the staff and the entire community for their love and support.

Albert is survived by his wife of 63 years Joyce Marie, son Timothy Schulien (Arin Lowe) of Durham, North Carolina, daughter Amy Smith (Brian) of Sherman, Connecticut, three beautiful granddaughters Madalyn, Kathryn and Elliott, sisters Doris Snodgrass (James) of Macomb Township, MI and Ilene Wright (Robert) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A service was previously held at Maplewood of Newtown for his friends and family in Connecticut. An instate period will take place on Saturday, September 17th at 10:00 AM at The Church of the Holy Family, 24505 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, Michigan 48375, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.


To watch a live stream recording of Alberts funeral mass click here

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Al's honor to the Mason Knights of Columbus Council #9182, 1010 S Lansing St, Mason, MI 48854 or to the Maplewood Senior Living HEART Foundation, 166 Mount Pleasant Rd, Newtown, CT 06470.