Obituary for Vince Radzik
Vincent Joseph Radzik, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on December 17, 2022 at his home in Superior Township, Michigan.
Vince was born on November 19, 1932 in New York, New York to Joseph and Estelle (Wegg) Radzik. He was a Class of 1950 graduate of De La Salle Academy in New York City, attended Manhattan College, and earned an Executive MBA from Ohio State University. Vince was a skillful photographer, both professionally and during his service in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned to New York City where he married the girl across the street, the love of his life, Frances Sweeney, in 1956. They recently celebrated 66 beautiful years together.
Vince passed up an opportunity to travel the world as a photographer for Life Magazine, opting instead to follow his heart and start a family. Vince worked as a “repo man” for General Motors before joining the Ford Motor Credit Company in 1963. His career path took him from Hempstead and White Plains, NY, to Philadelphia, PA, and eventually to Dearborn, MI where he retired as Vice President of Eastern U.S. and Canadian Operations in 1991. Vince and Fran retired to Punta Gorda, FL and Lenoir City, TN before returning to Michigan to be closer to their four children, twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Vince was well known as a leader and mentor to many professional colleagues and friends. He loved displaying his photographs and found pleasure in his vast music collection. He was very proud of his family and dedicated his life to loving and supporting them. He always led by example with honesty, integrity, and an old-fashioned work ethic, and used his bright imagination to live by his favorite mantra, “Exploit the inevitable!”
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Frances; his children, Michael (Marlene) Radzik, Barbara (Tony) Signorelli, Patti Radzik, and Christine Bair; his grandchildren, Nicole (Mike) Williams, Beth (Bobby) Barta, Laura (Jeff) Koch, Mary (Mitch) Marion, Josh (Melanie) Bair, Grace Radzik, Gabriela Ralph, Olivia Ralph, Dominic Signorelli, Makensie Bair, and Garrett Bair; and his great-grandchildren, Bo and Ella Barta, Ezekiel and Elijah Williams, Will and Hailey Marion, Thomas Koch, Kane Bair, and Ivanna Edmunds. Vince will be sorely missed by his loyal companion and furry friend, Jake, along with a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the world.
Vince was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Joseph and Clara (Murphy) Sweeney; his grandson, Anthony Vincent Signorelli; and his son-in-law, Daran Bair.
A private Celebration of Life will be held in 2023.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Vince’s memory to Trinity Health at Home – Southeast Michigan online HERE. and please use the dropdown to select “Michigan – Trinity Health At Home – Southeast Michigan (previously St. Joseph Mercy Home Care & Hospice) as the agency to receive donation or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation online HERE. or by mail to 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
Vince was born on November 19, 1932 in New York, New York to Joseph and Estelle (Wegg) Radzik. He was a Class of 1950 graduate of De La Salle Academy in New York City, attended Manhattan College, and earned an Executive MBA from Ohio State University. Vince was a skillful photographer, both professionally and during his service in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned to New York City where he married the girl across the street, the love of his life, Frances Sweeney, in 1956. They recently celebrated 66 beautiful years together.
Vince passed up an opportunity to travel the world as a photographer for Life Magazine, opting instead to follow his heart and start a family. Vince worked as a “repo man” for General Motors before joining the Ford Motor Credit Company in 1963. His career path took him from Hempstead and White Plains, NY, to Philadelphia, PA, and eventually to Dearborn, MI where he retired as Vice President of Eastern U.S. and Canadian Operations in 1991. Vince and Fran retired to Punta Gorda, FL and Lenoir City, TN before returning to Michigan to be closer to their four children, twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Vince was well known as a leader and mentor to many professional colleagues and friends. He loved displaying his photographs and found pleasure in his vast music collection. He was very proud of his family and dedicated his life to loving and supporting them. He always led by example with honesty, integrity, and an old-fashioned work ethic, and used his bright imagination to live by his favorite mantra, “Exploit the inevitable!”
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Frances; his children, Michael (Marlene) Radzik, Barbara (Tony) Signorelli, Patti Radzik, and Christine Bair; his grandchildren, Nicole (Mike) Williams, Beth (Bobby) Barta, Laura (Jeff) Koch, Mary (Mitch) Marion, Josh (Melanie) Bair, Grace Radzik, Gabriela Ralph, Olivia Ralph, Dominic Signorelli, Makensie Bair, and Garrett Bair; and his great-grandchildren, Bo and Ella Barta, Ezekiel and Elijah Williams, Will and Hailey Marion, Thomas Koch, Kane Bair, and Ivanna Edmunds. Vince will be sorely missed by his loyal companion and furry friend, Jake, along with a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the world.
Vince was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Joseph and Clara (Murphy) Sweeney; his grandson, Anthony Vincent Signorelli; and his son-in-law, Daran Bair.
A private Celebration of Life will be held in 2023.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Vince’s memory to Trinity Health at Home – Southeast Michigan online HERE. and please use the dropdown to select “Michigan – Trinity Health At Home – Southeast Michigan (previously St. Joseph Mercy Home Care & Hospice) as the agency to receive donation or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation online HERE. or by mail to 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.