Michael Gerald Kinney

KINNEY, Michael G. age 78, died April 25 2012 in Sterling Heights. Beloved husband of Kathleen M. Kinney. Dear father of Michael R. Gwen Kinney and the late Matthew R. Kinney. Loving grandfather of Mary Kinney, Madalynn Kinney, and Jonathan Cuncich. Brother of John Martha Kinney. Family will receive friends Thursday 5:00pm to 9:00pm and Friday Noon to 9:00pm at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road 3 blks east of VanDyke Utica. Saturday in state at 8:30am until time of funeral mass at 9:00am at St. Ephrem Catholic Church, 38900 Dodge Park, Sterling Heights. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. Please share a memory with the family at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com My hero, Dad, Father, God, Friend, role model had a choice and wanted kids, my dad and mom adopted Matthew and I. He never spanked or hit us, we would just argue it out. He did not believe in violence. He was a leader in the Boy Scouts, Airforce, Family Protector, Life coach. He will live on through his grandchildren, Mary, Madalynn & Johnny and all of you that his love touched. He was big and bad but gentle. He was a loving, tender and caring husband, father and grandfather. He knew Presidents, and was honored by the Queen of England for his service. He served his country with dignity, honor and courage in spite of fear of war. The best parts of him are part of us. For all you that were touched by his love He was a lover of women but only ever married one, and they have spent 60 years together. "Wadda you know" was a greeting he often gave to people he knew. He taught us to methodically listen to the words you used. Robert DeNiro "Meet the Fockers", Human Lie Detector. My hero didn't have to hold your waist, he just looked at you. You can accomplish anything you choose, but choose wisely. He possessed many great skills. He taught us to forgive & forget, never hold a grudge, otherwise it will haunt you the rest of your life. It was o.k. to disagree, but to dwell on it the issue only becomes moot. He was always direct and straight to the point, if you asked his opinion he told it like it was whether you liked it or not and he always right. When I was in kindergarten, my hero came home from the Vietnam War at Christmas time and showed up in my classroom, I said, "What are you doing here?" He said "I missed you" and he picked me up hugging and kissing me. Letters, cassettes and tapes was what we got a couple of times a week, when it was delayed "I clearly remember the sound of morters going off in the background. He was scared because his voice would change and say "I love you all" ending the tape. He was rewarded the Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters for his meritorious service. He saved a fellow soldier who was burning and on fire from a phosphorus grenade. He was wounded himself on a different day and received the Purple Heart. The Vietnam War did affect him, PTSD surely played a part in his life but he would never show it, or admit it. To him it was just part of the job. It was winter and in Scout camp I was scared and he let me sleep by him. Recently he reminded me by asking 'so how did you like a hard cold floor?" "No problem" I said, I'm a father I did just what you had taught me. He said "that's the correct answer, I'm proud of you." Don't grieve my son, remember what I taught you. Keep your mouth shut, and listen, speak with the facts.

Michael Gerald Kinney

August 13, 1933 - April 25, 2012