Victor Cologie

Victor Emmanuel Cologie, 79 died on June 25, 2024 peacefully surrounded by his family in his home. He was father to Michael Cologie, Melissa (Mike) Lundgren and stepfather to Jim (Mary Ann) Edwards, Kari (Kevin) Edwards and grandfather to Emma Lundgren, Brigit Edwards and Evelyn (Dylan) Johnston. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Ann (Porath) Cologie, Parents John S & Elizabeth (Kovaly) Cologie, Brother Robert (Louise)Cologie, Sister Dorothy (Bill) Barker and stepdaughter Ann Marie Edwards. He was born on VE Day on May 8, 1945 at St. Mary’s Hospital in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His name was to honor the victory of the war in Europe. He was the youngest in the family and doted on by his mother and older sister Dorothy. He moved to Michigan in 1966 when the Steel Mills were shutting down and secured a job with Detroit Edison as a sub-station operator working with high voltage electricity and equipment. He was a proud member of the Utility Workers Union Local 223. He retired after 43 years with the same company. Victor had many hobbies and interests to include sports card collecting and trading and especially fond of any and ALL Red Wing’s memorabilia. He would often talk about and relive the big Red Wings Stanley Cup win in 1997. He also loved to play the slots and try his luck with Lottery and scratch off tickets. He had many lucky numbers that he would play through the years and loved to tell stories of the secret meanings behind certain numbers and his betting strategies. Vic also had a true passion for classic cars. He rebuilt and restored two custom cars with his son Michael. His pride and joy was the 1969 Oldsmobile 442. They spent many hours, days and years working on that car. They may have shared a few arguments too! Vic especially enjoyed spending Christmas with extended family to include his ex-wife Josephine DeChicchis and the Lundgren in-laws. He loved to drive around and look at all the Christmas lights and really enjoyed the spirit and festivities of the holiday season. He will be remembered by his high-pitched laugh and aversion to anything remotely spicey. He had many funny habits which included a lot of Polish ingenuity like reusing waistbands to hold a trash bag in place and the many and all uses of the bungee cord. Vic suffered from many health conditions through the years and while caretaking for Mary at the same time. He had much resilience and a will to survive and enjoy life while he could. He especially enjoyed living at Oakmont Manor Senior Apartments in Sterling Heights this past year and tending to his beautiful flowers on the porch. The family is having a private gathering and ask that if you wish to pay your respects, please donate to his favorite charity the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his name.

Victor Cologie

May 8, 1945 - June 25, 2024