×

RAY J. WOZNIAK

Ray J. Wozniak, age 84, of Alpena passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 11, 2017. He was born Aug. 9, 1933 in Posen, Mich., to the late Valentine and Julia (Wisniewski) Wozniak. The youngest of nine children.

Ray grew up in Posen and graduated from Alpena High School. After graduation Ray moved to California and served in the United States Air Force as a propeller mechanic. His service in the Air Force took him to many places, including Thule, Greenland. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force and moved back to Alpena. During this time he cared for his father and worked at a local plant. After his father’s death, Ray moved to Flint, Mich., and started a career at General Motors as a welder. He split his time between Flint and Long Lake. He met Adolfine (Adi) Trappl Beauchamp and they married in July 1972. She preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 2008. He and Adi spent weekends at their cottages on Long Lake. Ray was an avid gardener and maintained large gardens in Alpena and Flint. He enjoyed deer and rabbit hunting with his beloved beagles. Ray was a hard worker. At the lake he was always painting, cutting grass, remodeling and splitting wood, but never swimming or fishing. He left that up to the grandkids. At Christmas time, his family always looked forward to receiving a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree that he would hand cut from his property and deliver to each home. He retired from General Motors in 1999. He and Adi moved back to Alpena and spent winters in Brooksville, Fla. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Surviving Ray are his stepchildren, Arthur (Debra) Beauchamp of Deltona, Fla., Raymond (Candace) Beauchamp of Skandia, Mich., and Judy (John) Kotwicki of Alpena; 12 grandchildren, Lisette Flaherty, David Beauchamp, Matthew Beauchamp, Chad Beauchamp, Brenda (Randy) Gauthier, Kane Beauchamp, Alicia Beauchamp-Daley (Brent), Jennifer (Benjamin)Young, Jodi (John) Lightfoot, Janine Kotwicki, Jason Kotwicki and Jamie (Zachary) Wojda; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Therese Wekwert of Posen, Mich., and Marge Bolles of Troy, Mich.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Wozniak of Lachine; daughter-in-law Sally Beauchamp; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his siblings, Paul Wozniak, Alex Wozniak, Sophia Redfern, Agnes Budzinski, Stephanie Szewczyk, Sister Mary Clarita and step-son Austin Beauchamp.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 at St Bernard Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11 a.m. with Rev. Scott Lawler. Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials donations may be made to Hospice of Michigan. Online condolences may be registered at www.mcwilliamsfh.com