CARL RICHARD SKWIRSK

Carl was born to the late John and Dorothy (Wencel) Skwirsk on June 20, 1932, in Wayne, Michigan. He was the 10th of 17 children. Carl graduated from North Branch High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army and worked for General Motors in Flint for 37 years.

Carl married Catherine Lauwers on Jan. 16, 1960, and they spent 63 loving years together. They raised three children in Grand Blanc before moving to Hubbard Lake after Carl retired. They spent 17 wonderful years enjoying lake living and loved entertaining family and friends there before moving to Alpena.

Carl loved to serve his community. He donated 146 pints of blood to the American Red Cross over his lifetime. He was an active member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Ossineke. He belonged to the church’s men’s and usher clubs, the Knights of Columbus Council 6851 and 529, Hubbard Lake Sportsman’s and Hubbard Lake Lions Clubs and was active in fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeast Michigan.

Carl enjoyed playing cards, reading and gardening. He loved helping Catherine with her stained glass creations. He cherished the time he spent with family and friends. Carl would never say no to anyone who asked for help.

He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine; three children, Anthony (Michelle) Skwirsk, Maureen (Steven) Mead-Mousseau, Thomas (Tanya) Skwirsk; grandchildren, Isaac Mead, Danielle (fiancee Chase Spell) Skwirsk, Garrett (fiancee Paige Kendziorski) Mead, Kyle Skwirsk, Aaron Mead, Mitchell Mead, Jacob Skwirsk, Ethan Skwirsk; stepgrandchildren, Christopher Mousseau, Ashleigh (Matthew) Kelly, Caitlyn Mousseau; stepgreat-grandchildren, James Kelly, Ezra Merseneau-Kempf, Elise Kelly; his siblings, Charlotte Wilhelm, Margaret Stephens, James Skwirsk; along with many nephews, nieces, cousins and great friends.

Carl was preceded in death by son-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Mead; brothers, John, Harold, Albert, Stanley, William, Gerald, Joseph and Francis; sisters, Kathryn Byrd, Lillian Chandler, Dorothy Newman, Marion Scrimger and Elizabeth Burgess.

Visitation will take place at the Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. with military honors by VFW Alpena Post 2496 at 5 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at St. Catherine Catholic Church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. with the Reverend. John Williams officiating.

Interment: St. Catherine Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carl’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Knights of Columbus.