KENNETH DAVID KOLASA

Kenneth David Kolasa, 77, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Typically for Ken, he didn’t give up fighting the dreaded Alzheimer’s Disease for nine years until it was time to rest.

Ken was born Jan. 18, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to the late John and Julia Kolasa. He graduated from University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He then moved on to Wayne State University, and served in the Army during the Vietnam War years. Ken met his wife, Lynn, at Wayne State which led to over 50 years of love, adventure and devotion, calling themselves “Team Kolasa”‘.

Ken lived his life to the fullest, never turning his back on a new adventure. His many careers began at age 7 when he used his wagon to get groceries for a neighbor for 10 cents. Ever the entrepreneur, while in college he and his brother owned The Campus Party Store on Wayne’s campus, and he worked for General Motors. After he was discharged from the Army, Ken returned to General Motors, as an external Auditor. While this provided the opportunity to travel the country, the corporate world wasn’t his choice. Preferring to find ways to help people, Ken accepted the position of Comptroller for a development company in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, which he and a partner eventually owned and named Tradewinds Inc. They proudly mainly built affordable homes on both St. Thomas and St. Croix which were sorely needed at the time. Life in St. Thomas was the adventure of a lifetime for Ken and Lynn.

After nearly 12 years, Ken and Lynn moved to Alpena where he became the first Executive Director of Target: Alpena Economic Development Corp. He was proud to develop two revolving loan funds which helped small businesses access funds otherwise unavailable to them. As an entrepreneur himself, this was very rewarding for Ken, along with his work on many other development projects to help the Alpena community. During this time, Ken was President of the Michigan Economic Developers Association for two years, and also spent many years of volunteer time as Tournament and then Executive Director of the Michigan Brown Trout Festival.

His final career choice was working for the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he focused largely on helping more banks to access the Small Business loans available through the SBA which could be helpful to business owners in Michigan.

Those who knew Ken remember his love for life, his quiet strength, his sense of humor (not always quiet) and the way he loved Lynn. Ken cherished his family and loved his friends without question!

Ken is survived by his devoted wife, Lynn, dear sister-in-law, Gerrie Jensen; his adored nephew, Brad (Megan) Pugh their children Landon and Lucy; niece, Stephanie (Eric) Dockus, their children Anna, Ryan, Tanner and Hayden; chosen family Barry and Janet Forintos; niece, Jennefer; nephew, Anthony; so many beloved cousins and cherished friends.

His brother David, in-laws Bob and Marti Pugh, and brother-in-law Bob preceded him in death.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements have been handled by Bannan Funeral Home.

If you choose to honor his life, please consider a donation to the Huron Humane Society of Alpena, where he and Lynn rescued Lilly, Ken’s loyal furry companion for eight years.