Kuznicki, Alphonse "Al" Alexander, April 8, 2023, Age 95, of Williamsburg, MI and Fort Myers, FL. Beloved husband of Lottie for over 75 ½ years. Al was born January 11, 1928 in Detroit, MI to John and Anna Kuznicki, the seventh of eight children. Loving father of the late Lawrence (Barbara) and David (Jill). Dear grandfather of Alan (Jacqueline) and Jon. Great-grandfather to Natalie, Isaac, and Jillian.
Al graduated from Chadsey High School in Detroit months before being drafted to WWII. Throughout his senior year, he became friendly with his classmate Lottie, bonding over the experience of losing both of their mothers at a young age. Al finally worked up the courage to ask Lottie to his birthday party, which he walked her home from. I guess you could say the rest is history. Al went off to the Manila Harbor in the Philippines to serve the U.S. Army in WWII at the tail end of the war, always speaking fondly of his experience and happy to share war stories. He returned to Detroit to Lottie's open arms and they've been inseparable since marrying in 1947. The Kuznickis have always been dedicated servants of God, active at Polish National and Roman Catholic churches over the years, including Sacred Heart (Dearborn), St. Columbkille (Ft. Myers, FL), St. James (Novi), and Christ the King (Williamsburg).
Al and Lottie made the move to Dearborn in 1950 and Al went into business with his brother Ed selling Gulf Gasoline. In addition to gas and oil, the brothers offered a variety of car repairs and eventually used car sales, with Al specializing in the body and paint side. He repaired many cars over those years with his favorite being a Triumph TR-3A. When Al's brother headed for Alaska in 1959, Al dusted off his truck driving skills, after driving coal delivery trucks as a teenager, to deliver auto parts to Ford's Wayne Assembly. It was here that he met a lifelong friend and fellow driver, Ted Schave. Ted would bond with him over an interest in bow hunting that led to a multi-generation tradition.
To live the Dearborn dream, Al pursued his interest in metallurgy by obtaining both a degree from Henry Ford College and a job at Ford Motor Company. Over the next twenty or so years, he and Lottie would both work for and retire from Ford, remaining loyal to the brand ever since. Early in his retirement years, Al helped out with his son Dave's newly started business, Deluxe Data Printers, doing various engineering and maintenance tasks. He and Lottie also enjoyed traveling throughout their work and retirement years, visiting many destinations in the US and Europe. Sharing their Polish heritage, Al and Lottie both enjoyed visiting Poland the most.
Throughout their golden years, Al and Lottie enjoyed spending the majority of their time in Florida, in Boca Raton and later Fort Myers. Al was very active in the Lexington Country Club Veterans Association, responsible for enhancing and maintaining the Walk of Honor memorial, and he also spoke highly of his experience in the Collier-Lee Honor Flight. Outside of Florida, Al and Lottie have enjoyed splitting their time back in Michigan to be closer to family, where Al could keep busy tinkering on car projects and house renovation projects. He never lost his touch for automotive repairs and was always eager to spend some long days in the garage, earning his comparison to the Energizer Bunny.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church,133 Orchard Dr. Northville, MI from 10:30 am until mass at 11 am on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. To watch a livestream of the service on April 12, 2023
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Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI. Luncheon following the service and burial will be at DeLuca's Restaurant, 27424 Warren Rd, Westland, MI 48185.