Raymond Ustick

Ustick, Raymond, age 89, passed away June 23, 2017. Beloved Husband of the late Eleanor. Loving father of Nicholas (Karen) and Rich. Loving grandfather of Christopher and Michelle (Aaron) Parzuchowski. Dear brother of Nicholas.

Born in his home on Tillman Street in Detroit, Michigan. Parents Nicholas and Pauline.

Nicholas worked for Bone Nelson Aluminum as a skilled tradesman and Pauline was a housewife.

Graduated from Western High School, Detroit, MI and was an avid third baseman while in high school which continued into adulthood. Ray completed two years of college at Wayne State University.

Ray was very patriotic. He tried to enlist in the Marines by changing his birth certificate to serve in WWII. However, his mother discovered his intentions while being sworn in and aborted his effort. Upon reaching age to enlist he joined the Navy serving on the USS Iowa Battleship during occupied Japan. He also served as a MP in the US Army during the Korean War.

Ray married Eleanor on November 19, 1955, the love of his life and enjoyed many happy years raising their children until her untimely death in 1996. Ray missed her dearly and talked about her every day.

Ray loved golf, baseball, bowling, gardening and playing euchre. Ray played third base in the Detroit Police baseball league. He especially loved when his son's friends came over for euchre night.

He loved the home sports teams especially the Tigers and Lions regardless of their win/loss records. He also became a compassionate follower of the Spartans once Michelle began college.

Ray was very strong-willed never letting his guard down. He questioned everything and did not stop until he was satisfied with the answer. That is why he was such an incredible investigator for the Detroit Police Department for 37 years. He was a fighter and never gave up even facing diversity. He said that there are people worse off than himself. He was known as the "Candy Man" at Dr. Brateman's because he brought candy bars for the women in the office. He was also an avid gardener which has been passed down to his sons. His failing health did not affect his attitude towards life. Ray mostly loved watching his grandchildren, Chris and Michelle, grow up. He attended their sporting events. Ray was a compassionate and modest man and always had something nice to say about everyone.

We will dearly miss him and his unique special smile. We will always love you.

Family will receive friends Sunday, from 2-8 pm at Neely Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd (Between Middlebelt and Merriman). Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home, Monday, June 26 at 11 am. Interment at Parkview Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America or the Michigan Humane Society.

After the cemetery, the family would like to invite you to the Italian-American Banquet & Conference Center of Livonia, 39200 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154 (www.iabc-livonia.com)