Frederick "Fritz" Kessler

Kessler, Frederick "Fritz", of Macomb, passed away from this life on November 25, 2016, at the age of 84. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, his Queen, Shirley. He is also survived by his four devoted daughters, their husbands, his grandchildren, and his great grandsons. Fritz was born in Detroit, and grew up in Cherry Hill, with his mother, father, brothers, and sisters. His two brothers and his younger sister also survive him, and when he left this earth, he joined two of his sisters who predeceased him. He attended Ypsilanti High School, where he was President of his Senior Class and President of the National Honor Society. He was inducted into the Ypsilanti High School Hall of Fame, having played high school baseball, football, and basketball - with, he would tell you, a mean hook shot. He was tremendously proud his entire life of his high school football team, "The Glory Years", and the unbeaten teams he played on. After high school, he served our country as a Marine in the Korean War. He celebrated the Marine Corps birthday every year and was proud of having served his country. After the War, he went to Eastern Michigan University, where he played football and basketball, and earned a Bachelors, a Masters, and a Specialist degree in Education. He devoted his entire professional career to education - first as a teacher and coach, and later as an administrator. He was ahead of his time in methodology and his philosophy was, "If children can't learn the way we teach, we need to teach the way they learn." He was a member of the VFW, a member of the Utica Teachers Union (President of the Union in his early 30s), a Eucharistic minister at his church, and a perpetual volunteer. He loved his family dearly and protectively - his parents, siblings, wife, daughters and their families, and his close friends - every moment of his life on this earth. He was so proud of the family he and his wife created. Perhaps it was because he lost his father when he was young - just 16 years old - but he believed life was too short to get angry. He also believed that because The Good Lord blessed us all so richly, and all He asked was an hour a week, we should not be late for mass - no small task in his younger days, when he had a wife, four daughters, and only one bathroom! If you know the story of the Good Samaritan, then you know what he was like. He never walked by a person in need, was never too busy to help, and was truly generous in every way. He was eternally optimistic, never spoke unkindly to or about anyone, and was thankful every day for the blessings the Good Lord gave him. He saw good in everyone and only spread good news. He collected inspirational writings and shared them with others. He loved the poems "The Man in the Glass" and "I Know Something Good About You" and the song "I Believe That Children are Our Future". His favorite expression was "Keep smiling", and he never parted company with anyone without wishing that they "be safe and have a great day" - including the doctors and nurses who treated his cancer the last two years of his life. He was loved and respected by his family, in his profession, and in his community. He touched many - and those who loved him were blessed beyond measure. In lieu of flowers, he has asked that memorial donations be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen or St. Jude's Hospital. His family will receive friends and family on Friday, December 2, from 2-9, at William Sullivan Funeral Home, with a rosary hour at 7:00 p.m. His funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, at St. Thecla Church, 20740 S. Nunneley Rd, Clinton Township, 48035. He will lie in state at St. Thecla on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Frederick "Fritz" Kessler

July 24, 1932 - November 25, 2016