Paul M. Szurpicki

Paul M. Szurpicki died on Thursday, April 2, 2020, age 67, after a long battle with cancer, which he mostly won. Despite his illness, he remained his unequivocally independent self throughout, rarely outsmarted, and always ready with a quick word or methodical take. His friends relied on his calm, certain integrity, generosity, utter reliability, and gentle humor. You may know of Paul as "Ol' Swivel-hips," from his days as a member of the Great Lakes Export, the 1975 national champion touch football team. He had a lifelong love of sports, both as a player and a fan. His other passions included the outdoors, with an emphasis on the wonders of the national parks, the Great Lakes, grills, hot campfires, walking sticks, a smoothly cast fishing line, cold lakes and rivers, snowy trails, trails without snow, a warm-up from the flask; watercraft of any size; cribbage, euchre, poker, or whatever card game you're willing to be schooled in; and a good scotch, a mediocre scotch, or whatever scotch you've got. Paul loved to cook and was especially renowned for his soups, golabki, and other Polish fare. He was a skilled woodworker and potter with a clean style and commitment to precision that complemented his wife's more playful aesthetic. According to his granddaughters, it should be noted that he always liked to wear jeans, was good at math problems, and let them drive the boat. Paul, a.k.a. Pic, was a founding member of the S.O.s, three of whom miss him today. He joins one on the other side. Rumor was, he was a retired software engineer who worked in the automotive industry. Certainly, he did love technology and spreadsheets. Paul is missed dearly by wife Susan (née Isbell); children Sarah Szurpicki (David Iannuzzi), Beth Szurpicki (Daniel Cowen) and David Szurpicki (Carmen); grandchildren Elena, Anastasia and Norah; sister Florence Dargurz (Jim), brother John Szurpicki (Ann), and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Estelle Szurpicki, in-laws Vern and Shirley Isbell, sister Elaine Lockwood and brother-in-law Joseph Lockwood. A celebration of life will be held once social distancing is over. Please do not send flowers, but a memorial contribution would be appreciated by the family. Memorial contributions may be made to: (click on link) National Parks Conservation Association The Children's Center in Detroit

Paul M. Szurpicki

October 11, 1952 - April 2, 2020