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Michael R. Tucker
Died: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Age: 27
Michael R. Tucker, a Cleveland lawyer who spent more than a decade rock climbing around the world, died in a rock climbing accident Saturday, April 24, 2010. He was 27.
He had recently returned to Cleveland to serve as the staff attorney for the Hon. Richard McMonagle, overseeing the newly created commercial docket of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court deciding business disputes.
Mr. Tucker graduated from University School in 2000, and received his undergraduate degree from The University of Colorado in 2004. After spending two years rock climbing around the world and guiding other climbers at Hueco Tanks in Texas, he returned to Cleveland and attended Cleveland Marshall Law School for a year, completing his law training at The Ohio State Moritz College of Law in 2009 where he served on the Law Review.
Mr. Tucker was a passionate outdoorsman who made time to teach rock climbing at the Cleveland Rock Gym, and to climb at sites around North America. He frequently traveled to Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky, the New River in West Virginia, Hueco Tanks, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as abroad. He had a deep love of nature and a profound respect for the discipline, both physical and mental, necessary for rock climbing.
He is survived by his parents, Christy Cole of Grosse Pointe Shores and Bob and Karen Tucker of Shaker Heights, Ohio; his sisters, Emily of Los Angeles, Kelly Elliott of Cleveland and Ann Elliott of Chicago; grandparents, John and Mary Cole of South Carolina and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his grandparents Carl and Hester Tucker.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Tucker's memory to The Access Fund, a national organization dedicated to conserving the climbing environment, P.O Box 17010 Boulder, CO 80308, or to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 314, Novelty, OH 44072.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Arrangements were handled by Brown-Forward Inc. of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Geraldine Marie Brush
Died: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Age: 83
Former longtime Grosse Pointe Woods resident Geraldine Marie Brush, 83, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 21, 2010, in Safety Harbor, Fla.
Mrs. Brush, the widow of Alfred W. Brush, was born in Detroit. She loved to read, especially mystery novels. She enjoyed playing bridge and had fond memories of her bridge club in Grosse Pointe with whom she played for many years.
She was devoted to her husband and lovingly cared for him many years after he suffered a major stroke.
Mrs. Brush is survived by her three sons and their families: John "Jack" and his two children, Caroline and Braden; Bradley, his wife, Heather, and their children, Kathryn Roorda, Emily (Michael) Drake and Haley; Bruce and his wife, Marie-Louise and their children, Chene-Marie Klimowicz and Lauren-Elise; and her great-granddaughter, Isabella Drake.
She also is survived by her brothers, Robert and Milton Clark.
A funeral service will be held May 4 in Sylvan Abby Memorial Gardens in Safety Harbor.
Thomas Motter
Died: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Age: 64
Grosse Pointe Woods resident Thomas Motter, 64, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.
He was born April 10, 1946, in Barrington, Ill., to Charles and Virginia Motter and moved to Grosse Pointe Woods in 1962. He graduated from Northwood Institute.
In his early years, Mr. Motter owned an Arctic Cat snowmobile dealership in Midland and was later employed as a cost analyst at Amtec Corp., Pico Manufacturing, ThyssenKrupp and DTE Energy.
Mr. Motter enjoyed boating, motorcycling, snowmobiling and car racing. For two years he was the Formula 440 Track champion at Waterford Hills racetrack. He was a member of Unlimited of Detroit and Nitrous Racing Service.
Tom "Bear" Motter was married
to Karen "Fox" Hutton in 1984, who survives him.
He also is survived by his sister, Carol "Itsy Bitts" Hunt and her sons, Christopher and David Hunt; nieces, Geneva Jahnke and Greta Milliron; cousin and best friend, Jim Fraser and cousins, Joanne Dennis and Mary Weathers.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Genevieve Jahnke.
Memorial arrangements are pending.
Reginald Joseph Zielinski M.D.
Died: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Age: 74
Reginald Joseph Zielinski, M.D., 74, died Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in Fort Myers, Fla. He was a former resident of the City of Grosse Pointe.
He was born in Philadelphia to Dr. Charles and Francis Zielinski and graduated from the University of Detroit Dental School and received his residency degree from Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1963.
Dr. Zielinski was a Doctor of Oral Surgery who maintained a practice in Warren until retiring in 1998 and moving to Fort Myers.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing and duck hunting. He loved to travel and passed that love on to his children.
Dr. Zielinski gave back to the community through a variety of volunteer and charitable organizations, most notably working with victims of accidents who needed facial reconstructive surgery. Additionally, he helped raise funds for St. John Hospital.
He was a member of various professional and community organizations including the American Society of Oral Surgeons and the Grosse Pointe Hockey Association. He was also co-founder of U.S. Aluminate Corp.
Dr. Zielinski is survived by his sons, Thomas R. Zielinski and Robert A. Zielinski; daughter, Janet F. Miller; grandchildren, Tyler Conlan and Jack and Caitlyn Miller; his sister, Charlene Dienes and his former wife, Suzanne Zielinski of Grosse Pointe Farms.
He was predeceased by his parents.
A memorial service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the Lochmoor Club, 1018 Sunningdale, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Healthcare Services, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
George J. DeClerk
Died: Monday, April 19, 2010
Age: 96
Grosse Pointe Farms resident George J. DeClerk, 96, died Monday, April 19, 2010.
He was born July 1, 1913, in Chicago. He was the owner of DeClerk Industries in Center Line until his retirement in 1975.
Mr. DeClerk was a member of the Economic Club of Detroit, Detroit Athletic Club and Circumnavigators Club.
He is survived by his children, Jacqueline (Charles) Cornillie and Dennis (Barbara) DeClerk; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mr. DeClerk was predeceased by his wife Evangeline "Angie."
The funeral arrangements were private and handled by Ford Funeral Home in Center Line. Inurnment is in White Chapel cemetery in Troy.
Donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Robert Michael Wilson
Died: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Age: 62
Former Grosse Pointe Farms resident Robert Michael Wilson, 62, died Sunday, April 18, 2010, at his home in New Baltimore.
Mr. Wilson, known as "Bob" or "Mike" to friends and family, was born in Detroit to Robert M. and Beverly J. Wilson and graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School in 1966.
He was a retired technical writer and editor in heavy equipment procurement for Tank-automotive and Armaments Command in Warren.
Mr. Wilson was a survivor of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and, although paralyzed in his early teens, refused to abide by the conclusion that he would never walk again. But for a slight limp in his later years, no one would have guessed the travails he suffered at an early age, as he was humble and rarely talked about this medical miracle.
Mr. Wilson's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his special joys. He was also a life-long avid boater, enjoying touring and travels on his Marinette with his beloved first mate, Donna.
As the oldest of six children, Mr. Wilson was an especially attentive big brother to his youngest brother, whom he called "Little Guy." His brother, Gary, will be forever grateful for being included in so many wonderful adventures as a child and always proud to be with his big brother.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Donna Moceri and Dawn Gatz; grandchildren, Tera, Marc, Ashley, Brittney and Katelyn and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Jayden, Trevor and Nathann.
He also is survived by his sister, Nancy and brothers, Chris (Colleen) and Gary (Lauren).
He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Tim and Jeff.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Gendernalik Funeral Home Inc. in New Baltimore.
Memorial donations may be made to The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods, 20090 Morningside, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.
