Adam Tabaczewski

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Adam Tabaczewski was a blessing to everyone he met. Although he worked hard, he also took the time to enjoy life along the way. A family man through and through, Adam treasured his loved ones and was so proud to witness his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of children and grandchildren who were his everything. A friend to many, he was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. Although he will be deeply missed, Adam leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

When the 1930 dawned in Brusnik, Poland, WWI had ended, but it wasn’t long before WWII appeared on the horizon. In May of 1926 democracy came to an end, and the redistribution of lands to peasants was commonplace while the country achieved significant economic growth between 1921 and 1939. Adam was born during this eventful time prior to WWII in Brusnik on January 3, 1930. He grew up living with his grandparents where he learned through firsthand experience that you have to work hard most of the time to get what is needed.

As a young teen boy he was forced to work at a labor camp during the days of WWII. This was another experience that instilled within Adam the character traits that he has come to be known for: hardworking, having good work ethics, reliability, being of solid moral values, and to be helpful toward others. In addition, he learned several skills that made him a general all around handyman who could build or repair numerous things. All of these skills were things that not only served him well throughout his life, but they were also skills and traits that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Shortly after the war ended in 1945, Adam decided to enlist in the United States Army. However, since he was only 17 and underage, he stayed at an ex-patriot camp until he turned 18 as he believed there was not much left in Poland for him to go home to.

After traveling to the United States, Adam was eager to see all that life had in store. He spent a short time living in the Dakotas, but he later moved to Michigan where he stayed with a local family in Hamtramck. In an effort to remain in touch with his upbringing, Adam established a Polish youth club where they took part in traditional Polish and other kinds of dancing. He loved spending time with the group.

Not to be forgotten during his days as a young man was Adam’s introduction to the woman of his dreams. Her name was Joann, and they met in Hamtramck in 1950. Three years of dancing and courting passed by before he asked Joann to marry him, but before they could wed Adam was drafted into the military. Adam completed his basic training at Fort Gordon as a single man. Before traveling to Korea, he married his sweetheart in December of 1953. Adam then answered his marching orders and shipped out to Korea where he spent the 15 months that followed.

With his military duties fulfilled, Adam returned to establish his home and family in Detroit which included their son, Dennis, who was born in 1957, and their two daughters, Denise who was born in 1960, and Patricia who was born in 1961. Adam and Joann raised their family in the home they built in Redford Township for 39 years. To support his family, he made a career as a craftsman at GM, but his family was always first and foremost.

Throughout his life Adam was a bustle of activity. There were trips to Poland and other destinations over the years. A significant trip was in 1974 when Adam reunited with his mother after more than 30 years of being apart. Four years later, he travelled to Poland again, this time with his wife to meet her mother-in-law for the first time and in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Not wanting to stay home after retiring, Adam decided to go back to school and acquire his builders license. With this license to his credit, Adam became known even more so as Mr. Handyman and Mr. Fix-It throughout his community. His handyman skills were sought after in nearby communities as well. Later on Adam could often be found working on projects with his son-in-law, Greg. With children who were grown and busy with their own families, Adam and his wife wanted to live in a more rural setting so they moved to a ten acre piece of property in Howell. He enjoyed having the space to be creative, caring for nature and animals, and working his land while seeing many wildlife creatures on a daily basis. They even showed up on the day he passed! Of course, Adam also enjoyed playing chess, making jokes, talking politics, and sharing life experiences, especially with his eight grandchildren who were the light of his life.

All who knew Adam Tabaczewski would agree that he had a heart of gold. He was never one to worry about the little things, rather, he took everything in stride, embracing both the joys and the sorrows along his life’s journey. A hardworking man, Adam did everything to the best of his ability, and he was forever using his gifts and talents to help others. Deeply loved, he will never be forgotten.

Adam Tabaczewski died on August 30, 2016. Adam’s family includes his wife, Joann; children, Dennis (Barb), Denise, and Patsy (Greg); grandchildren, Sabina, Monika, Rachel, Andy, Jacob, Kelsey, Holly, and Ryan. Family will receive friends Sunday, September 4 from 2-8 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd, Livonia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 5, 11 a.m. at St Gerald Catholic Church, 21300 Farmington Rd, Farmington. In state 10:30 a.m. until mass begins. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.