Jul 31
In addition to receiving a certificate for his presentation before the Club on July 17, 2021, Devin Scillian of WDIV Channel 4, Detroit, was given an Honorary Membership in the Club. Scillian emphasized the importance of news providers reporting the facts rather than their opinions.
Men,
Although adversity has confronted us with the pandemic and the floods, our Club survives and prospers. It is due in large part to the devoted members of the Club, the Board of Directors and the eternal grace of God. We must be doing something right. Who could have imagined the adversities that we have recently encountered with a positive future for the Club. We are truly blessed!
Make arrangements to attend our future meetings. With your participation and joining one or more of the committees, our Club will prosper and excel. Join a committee and lend a hand to this worthwhile endeavor. You will be rewarded immensely. We all, collectively, will benefit from your participation. No one can predict what the future holds in store for us, but without your involvement and support the Club’s mere existence could be in jeopardy. With your involvement the Club will have a long and cherished history. Pick a committee and join it. Contribute to it and reap the rewards that the other members will provide to you.
Support our advertisers, who have so graciously placed ads in our Directory. Tell them when you use their services or frequent their establishment that you are a member of the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe. Prove to them that their advertising dollars were well spent and that had it not been for their advertisement in the Directory you may not have gone to their restaurant or used their facilities. In this way we can build a strong bond between our Club and its supporters.
A dues invoice for the fiscal year 2022 (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022) is included in this newsletter. Seventy-five percent of the Club’s revenue comes from your dues (65%) and contributions (10%). The other 25% comes from sponsors who purchase ads in the Membership Directory. Please consider a voluntary contribution to support the Club’s activities.
Nearly half of our Club is made up of Life Members who are not required to pay dues. The Club remains unique in that the majority of our Life Members continue to pay dues, and we are grateful for their continued support. I suggest each of us reach out and say “thank you” to a Life Member.
Jim Callahan, President
Water Damage at The Ark Forces Club to Find Alternative Meeting Locations.
July 9th at 1 pm: The Annual Ever-Popular Men’s Club Detroit River Cruise is back. Let Ed Benz know if you plan to attend 313-885-3618 or email at efbenz@mac.com
July 13th Meeting Will be Held at Fishbones, 23722 Jefferson (lakeside of road), just below 9 mile in Saint Clair Shores at 11 am.
July 27th Meeting, “A Picnic at the Park with Devin Scillian” to be held at The Tompkins Center in Windmill Pointe Park at 11 am. Spouses and Guests Encouraged.
Men,
A lot has occurred since we last met as many of us have dealt with flooding and electrical outages. Unfortunately, The Ark, our home for the last four meetings also suffered damage and we have had to scramble for meeting locations. Our hearts go out to the folks at St. Ambrose who need to deal with this clean up and restoration as well as to all the users of this terrific space. The Ark made the Men’s Club feel very much at home.
The July speakers will be impressive and entertaining. What a line up! Invite your friends to all future Club meetings. They will be impressed and hopefully will join as a member.
The speakers at the first meeting in July, Tim Jackson and Nicole Lindsey, will enlighten us on the art of urban beekeeping. This is a very timely topic as it relates to the environment and preservation of the species. I understand that the GPYC is raising bees on their roof for both pollinating and producing honey for the chef to use.
The second meeting will be at Windmill Pointe Park and we are calling it “A Picnic in the Park with Devin Scillian.” Devin Scillian, Channel 4 News Anchor, will speak. Given the anticipated interest in the speaker and the venue of the Tompkins Center, I want to encourage you to invite your spouses and friends for this meeting.
Do not forget to make a reservation for luncheons by calling or texting Marty McMillan (313-550-9661, or if you have email respond to gpmcattendance@gmail .com.
The ever-popular special event, the Detroit River Cruise, will be on July 9th. Several of us will meet at Sinbad’s for lunch before the cruise between 11 and 11:30 am. The boat departs at 1 pm for the one-hour cruise. Please let Ed Benz know of your plans. Email to efbenz@mac.com or call him at 313-885-3618. Welcome Aboard!
Despite flood and pestilence your club is doing well and prospering. Thanks to the many members who have joined our ranks and undertaken leadership roles in the Club we are communicating with each other better and forming a nucleus of future leaders of the club.
We need more of you to join one of our many committees so thar your expertise and contacts will be maximized, and the Club be more interesting to you and others. See the list below, call one of the Committee Chairmen and get involved.
Alternative Site – Jim Hoekwater 313-720-4310
Advertising – Jim Callahan 313-220-8315
Events – Ed Benz 313-885-3618
Foundation – Marty Mc Millan 313-822-8454
Membership – Chip Rohde 313-882-8454
Newsletter – John Snyder 313-885-6388
Speakers – Henry Fischer 313-473-8625
Information Technology – Dave Morrow 313-303-1570
The Charter Member badges belonging to members prior to September 2019 remain available for a donation of $20. Call me at 313-220-8315 so I can locate yours and make it available.
If you need a ride to meetings, see our article on how to obtain a free ride from PAATS to and from meetings.
Jim Callahan,
President
AUGUST SPEAKERS
August 10
David O. Egner
Ralph C. Wilson JR Foundation
August 24
Jon Dean
Superintendant GPSS
Name: Eugene T. Ignasiak
Born: December 22, 1923
Died: July 2, 2021 (97)
MC Member: November 24, 1987 (33)
Eugene (“Gene”) Thomas Ignasiak passed away on Friday, July 2nd, 2021, at the age of 97. He leaves behind his loving wife of more than seventy years, Dorothy Ann (Reckio) Ignasiak. Gene is survived by his four children, Susan, Michael, Gregory, and Robert Ignasiak (Francine) as well as his grandson James Ignasiak. He also leaves behind several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gene was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 22, 1923, to father John Ignasiak and mother Anne (Mentlikowski) Ignasiak. He was preceded in death by his siblings Florence, Bernard, and Norbert. Gene served as class president of 525 students in the graduating class of Northeastern High School in June, 1941.
After attending the University of Detroit, Gene enlisted in the United States Navy and served from September 21, 1942 to December 24, 1945. He was aboard the PC 1260 and YAG 18, vessels deployed for convoy and other duties in the Caribbean and South Atlantic Seas. Gene had an Honorable Discharge as Electrician’s Mate First Class and received the Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. When telling about his Naval service, Gene always ended by saying, “It was an honor to serve.”
Gene began studies at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering in February 1946. He graduated in February, 1950, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He then worked in the automotive industry from 1950 to 1987. His employers were Packard Motor Car Company, the Budd Company, Fisher Body, and the Ford Motor Company. During his twenty-five year tenure at Ford as a principal design engineer, Gene was presented with four major awards (i.e., a new car or the equivalent in U.S. savings bonds) for adopted cost-savings ideas not related to his area of responsibility. He was a member of the American Society of Body Engineers and the Edgard DeSmet Alumni Association.
A long-term resident of Grosse Pointe Woods, Gene was actively involved in several community organizations. He served as President for The Association for Retarded Citizens Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods. He was also a lifetime member of the Scarab Club in Detroit for his photographic skills. He was a member of American Legion Post 303. Gene also was a member of the Patrol Craft Sailors Association. For over fifteen years, he and his wife Dorothy enjoyed world travel as Nomad travel club members.
Gene is remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was committed to faith, family, and his country. He will be dearly missed.
Funeral visitation will be held at A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods on Wednesday, July 7th, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a special veteran’s service conducted by American Legion Post 303 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, July 8th, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Grosse Pointe Woods. The mass will be preceded at 9:30 a.m. with a final visitation service. A burial service will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.
Condolences and memories may be shared with family and friends by visiting www.dignitymemorial.com.
Men's Club of Grosse Pointe 