Leo Edward Kalinowski

Leo Edward Kalinowski was born on November 5, 1920 in Detroit, Mi to Adalbert and Victoria Kalinowski. He was the youngest of 4 children. His father died while he was very young and eventually his mother did remarry. I believe his mother was an immigrant. Leo's parents were from Poland. Much of the family settled in the Detroit area. They were hard working people who all understood farming. In fact Leo's Aunt Mary bought a large farm several miles from the Detroit neighborhood where he grew up. Pictures show a family who loved to work and laugh and who probably had a good sense of humor.
Leo joined the Navy in 1942 and was discharged in December 1945. He married his childhood sweetheart in November 1945. They lived in Detroit until 1964 when they moved to Warren. They had one son, Matthew, who was born in May, 1962. Leo retired from Chrysler Corp. in 1982 with full benefits. At that time they began a road trip that lasted several months and they traveled throughout the US. Eventually they settled on Zephyr Hills, Fla as a winter home and in 1986, when Matthew and Cyndy, his future daughter in law bought their own house, they sold the Warren home to live in Rose Lake, where they had a cottage, in the warm months and Florida in the cold months. They were able to continue this life style until 2006, when health forced them to move to Imlay City to be close to Matt, Cyndy and his 2 granddaughters, Merry and Jeni. Last October, further health problems found Leo and Adele living in Matt and Cyndy's big farm house with the family, the cats, dog and the dancers who visit the home several times each week. The learned to really enjoy all the noise and people and made many new friends.
Leo was an avid golfer who was able to golf until this summer. We were very glad about this as it brought him so much happiness. Leo also loved to travel and in their younger years, he and Adele did everything from their road trip to a cruise or 2 and even many trips to Vegas.
Leo was a very artistic person who made furniture, carved beautiful carvings and even did a few portraits.
Leo really lived a full life, free from health problems until the end and was a charming, funny man. At the end of his life he was quite a character who made us all smile daily.
Leo died October 18, 2009 at home with his family with no suffering.
Leo will be missed very much by all. We love you Grandpa!