Henry J. Salisz's Obituary
Henry James Salisz, age 95, passed on Saturday, May 22, 2021. He was born on July 8, 1925 to Jacob and Cecelia (Czdor) Salisz in Boyne Falls, MI. Henry served in the United States Army during WWII and went on to serve many years in the naval reserve. On April 3, 1961 he married the love of his life, the former Janet Volek, and adopted her two sons, Paul, and Joe. They added to their family and spent 58 years together until her passing exactly two years prior to Henry. He devoted his life to education and worked for 67 years as a teacher, carpenter and administrator in various school systems but spent most of his time at Muskegon Catholic Central. Henry was a dedicated teacher educating and mentoring generations of students. He was a faithful member and eucharistic minister at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and built many of the items used throughout the Grand Rapids Diocese, including 26 altars. His spiritual growth was nourished by annual retreat visits to Gethsemani Trappist Monastery in Kentucky and St. Lazare’s Retreat House in Spring Lake. Among many other projects, Henry was present in community service through architectural renderings for public and private buildings in West Michigan, donated gallons of blood through the Red Cross and crafted innovative designs to help a local heart surgeon. Henry is survived by his loving children, Paul (Mary) Salisz, Joseph (Sheila) Salisz, Francis (Paula) Salisz, Patricia (Mark) Vanderwest; grandchildren, Mark (Mollie) Salisz, Eric (Michelle) Salisz, Bridget (John) Ehlich, Katherine (Brad) Moldovan, Kara Vanderwest, Angela Vanderwest, Lauren Vanderwest, Anna Salisz, Holly Salisz; great grandchildren, Henry Salisz, Hannah Salisz, Mason Salisz, Mandy Salisz, Jameson Ehlich, Ava Ehlich; brother, Edward (Mary) Salisz. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet Salisz; three sisters; and three brothers. The arms of his extended family reach way beyond relatives. VISITATION with Henry’s Family will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, May 28, 2021 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (2929 McCracken St.) and an hour prior to the service. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. R. Lewis Stasker presiding. Entombment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. For a more lasting memory, donations in Henry’s name can be made out to either the Muskegon Catholic Central Education Fund or the Harbor Hospice Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to The Walburn Chapel of The Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. Muskegon, MI 49441. Feel free to sign the family’s online guestbook and share a memory at www.sytsemafh.com.
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