Dennis Francis Zaluski

Dennis Francis Zaluski of Sterling Heights, Michigan Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at the Villa at City Center Healthcare in Warren, Michigan. He was 85 years old. Dennis Francis Zaluski was born on January 11, 1938 in Hamtramck, Michigan to Francis Anthony and Helen (Kublin) Zaluski. Dennis attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic Elementary School in Detroit and served on the school safety patrol. As a Boy Scout, he earned Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. Dennis was a proud graduate of the Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic High School in Detroit in 1955. In 1957, he met Shirley Caza. They began dating and fell in love. They were married at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1961 and have been honeymooners ever since. Dennis volunteered for military service when President Kennedy requested additional critical skills trades for our country’s national defense. Weeks after he was married, he served as a Federal Reservist, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Bravo Company. He began a long-loved career as a tool and die maker with Fisher Body, a division of General Motors, retiring 41 years later. Dennis was quite mechanically skilled and enjoyed working with tools. His family and friends knew he could fix almost anything. If it couldn’t be immediately repaired, he would redesign it with improved materials so it would keep working indefinitely. In 1977, he was a founding supporter of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Sterling Heights and a faithful rosary group member. As a child growing up during World War II, he developed a deep sense of patriotism and a keen interest this period’s history. For decades, Dennis volunteered at the Yankee Air Museum in Belleville. Over the years, Dennis and Shirley traveled extensively, enjoying the incredible diversity and unique traditions the world has to offer. He will forever be remembered for his unconditional devotion for his beloved wife and cherished family. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Shirley Anne Zaluski; his children: Shirley (Craig) Sloan of Hartland, Dennis Anthony Zaluski of Sterling Heights, and Denise Zaluski of Hamtramck; his grandchildren: Camille Sloan, Cameron (Beth Ann) Sloan, Joseph Zaluski, Calvin Seruga, and Estelle Seruga; his sister and maid of honor, Beverly (Robert “Bob”) Jenceleski; his Godchildren: Jerome P. Lasinski, Kenneth Dupack, David Sadowski, and Barbara Hagan. Also surviving are extended family and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Helen Zaluski; and his best man, Ronald Sadowski. His paternal grandparents were Boleslaw and Franciszka (Zakrzewska) Zaluski. His maternal grandparents were Karol (known as Charles Michalski) and Caroline (Sobel) Kublin. All of his grandparents were born in Poland and immigrated to the United States. Dennis believed in sharing our nation’s history with future generations. Please consider a memorial contribution to the Yankee Air Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 47884 D. Street, Belleville, MI 48111. https://yankeeairmuseum.org/support/

Dennis Francis Zaluski

January 11, 1938 - December 24, 2023