Edwin A. Bakun

Edwin (Ed) Bakun was a Godly man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and compassionate friend to so many.

He was born on February 6, 1926, the oldest of three children of Julius and Sophia Bakun, who immigrated to the United States from Poland early in the 20th century. Ed and his sisters Julia and Theresa lived in a Polish neighborhood on the west side of Detroit and spoke Polish in the home. Next door were his cousins, the Sitkos. Ed was especially close to his cousin, Casey, and would remain so throughout their lives. During childhood, Ed could be found playing sports, listening to music, and reading. When the Great Depression came, the family was fortunate that Julius Bakun, a toolmaker, was able to work as a night watchman. Ed had a job delivering mail.

Ed was a good student and popular at St. Andrew’s High School, proudly graduating with academic honors with the Class of 1944. He continued his studies toward the Catholic priesthood at St. Mary’s College at Orchard Lake, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1947.

Ed’s life took a different path thereafter when he served in United States Naval Reserves in 1949. He continued his education, earning a second bachelor’s degree, in Business Administration, at the University of Detroit in 1954. He initially worked as an accountant and ultimately as a purchasing agent for Burroughs (later Unisys) Corporation. He retired from the Unisys Plymouth location in 1988.

Each was on a date with someone else at the same hayride when Ed met Helen Yuschek, the love of his life for 61 years. They began dating in 1954, one year after Helen received her bachelor’s degree in education from Madonna College. They were married on July 2, 1955, at St. Andrew Church, in a traditional Polish wedding that WXYZ-TV filmed for its “ethnic weddings” series. Happily married and eager to start a family, Ed and Helen raised four wonderful children: Donna, Bob, Ron, and Jim, in their new home in Livonia. They also considered Kramer, the beloved family dog and special companion, like a fifth child!

Ed’s life was full and rich. He cherished time spent at the Sitko cottage in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula near Munising and truly enjoyed any time he was fishing. An especially memorable trip was in a Winnebago with the children in 1973 to fish for walleye in Big Bay de Noc. Dad and children were in a boat two miles from shore when the bay’s waters grew extremely rough. The children on that boat were afraid. Their Dad got them safely to shore.

Ed truly enjoyed the time with the family at Christmas, Easter and birthdays. Big dinners at the dining room table on those occasions were a special love. His grace before dinner concluded with thanks to God and “may we all be together again next year.”

Ed had many special interests and hobbies. His garden -- the entire back yard --endures as a memory of his love of nature, flowers and birds. He also loved to dance. He and Helen belonged to a square dancing club in the 1980s and attended polka dancing weekends with his sister Theresa and her husband, Steve, and their friends. When it was time to relax, he worked his nightly crossword puzzle (in ink) while sipping a Southern Comfort Manhattan, a hands-down favorite. He was not a tremendous sports fan -- except when it came to the MSU Spartans. Ed found great joy in seeing the University of Michigan Wolverines lose to the Spartans.

For all his life, Ed was a believer in all people. He had a way of listening that made everyone feel special. Completely happy, he would often say, “God is good!” or “God has been good to me!”

Edwin leaves a legacy of a faithful life and a generous heart. He will be forever remembered by all who love him.

Edwin A. Bakun, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2016. Beloved husband of Helen. Dear father of Donna Mirabito, Robert (Martha), Ronald, and James (Michelle). Cherished grandfather of Michael, Katy, Jennifer, Joseph, and Ethan. Loving brother of Theresa Barton and the late, Julia Szkarlat. Family will receive friends Friday, 2-9 pm with a Rosary at 7pm at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (Between Middlebelt and Merriman). A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday at 10am at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. The family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Edwin’s name. To share a favorite memory and/or photo and to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.turowskilifestory.com