John Dziamski

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, John Dziamski lived life on his own terms, embracing each and every day he was given. He was a hardworking man who carried himself with honor and integrity while adhering to strong moral convictions. John was blessed to share much of his journey with his true love, and together they saw some of the magnificent sights that the world has to offer. He will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Nearly a century has passed since the early part of the 20th century. These were trying times when there were unsafe working conditions in cities and towns all across our great land. America’s youth were more commonly found in the workplace than they were in the classroom, and with a lack of child labor laws it was often our youngest citizens that dealt with the harsh realities of the work environment the most. Jazz music was hot while dances like the Fox Trot and the Tango were the latest craze. Amidst this eventful time there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, as they announced the birth of their healthy baby boy on August 2, 1915. John Henry was one of seven children born to his parents, William and Helen Dziamski, and he was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Bill, Joe, and Eugene, and his sisters, Clara, Irene, and Helen.

In many ways John experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of his generation. Detroit was experiencing an explosion in their population as Henry Ford and his automobile manufacturing drew countless immigrants to the city in search of work throughout the 1920s. During this time John was a student at local schools, graduating from high school. It was as a teen that he discovered his love for building and repairing engines as he could often be found rebuilding cars.

New and exciting changes were in store for John when he met the young woman with whom he would share a lifetime of love. Her name was Virginia, and they met in the neighborhood. They began dating, and it wasn’t long before John and Virginia found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, the couple became husband and wife at the justice of the peace.

It was also as a young man that John was called to serve his country in the military. A man of great honor, he served as a mechanic in the Army Air Corps. John’s wife traveled with him throughout much of his time in the military.

With his duty to the military fulfilled, John and Virginia returned to Michigan, eventually settling into a home that he built himself with cinder blocks and bricks. He always thought of his home as his castle, which was how he referred to his home as well - his castle.

John’s lifelong passion for engines became a way of life for him. He attended various community colleges to be an electrician, which brought him to Ford to work as an electrician. John also had his own business on the side. Throughout his life he loved to build and repair cars, lawnmowers, and other small engines.

In his free time, John always kept busy. He was never one to watch television as he felt that doing so was a “waste of time.” John did keep busy reading catalogs, however, as he was a bit of a home shopper who ordered many things over the years. John did some traveling with Utah and Yellowstone being among a couple of his favorite places.

Later in life John was blessed to receive excellent care in his home from his niece, Helen, as his health declined.

John Dziamski died on October 17, 2013. John was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia. John’s family includes his sisters, Clara Wills and Irene Zella, and other members of his family and friends. Visit with John’s family and friends on Monday 10-12 p.m. followed by a 12:00 noon funeral service at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile (Btn. Middlebelt and Merriman). Interment at Parkview Memorial Cemetery. You may sign the guest book at www.TurowskiLifeStory.com prior to arriving at the funeral home.