CASIMIR J. KOCHAN

Casimir "Cass" J. Kochan.  October 26, 1927 – April 10, 2017.  Age 89.  Beloved husband of Theodora "Teddy" (nee Guzinski).  Dear father of Joan (Paul) Moses, Carol Kochan, Joseph (Sherry) Kochan, and Andrew (Anita) Kochan.  Loving son of the late Joseph and Marian Kochan.  Dear brother of Helen Pabrazinsky, Theresa Huff, and Elizabeth (Frank) Kaczan.  Predeceased by siblings Walter Kochan, Katie Schwartz, Irene Kochan, John Kochan, Bernice Tulymowski, Edmund Kochan, Bernard "Ben" Kochan, and Rose Kosior.  Happy grandfather of 14: John Moses, Teresa Grindlay, Mary Rose Kreger, April Spring Brabant, Katharine "Katie" Moses, Warren Kochan Schweigert, JulieAnn Bogardus, Steve Kochan, Michael Kochan, David Kochan, Thomas Kochan, Bridgette Kochan, Victoria Kochan, and Veronica Kochan.  Lucky great-grandfather of 14: Nathan "Nate" Moses, Holly Moses, Maria Grindlay, Danny Grindlay, Vivien Brabant, Cora Bogardus, Finn Bogardus, Ivy Bogardus, Leah Kochan, Joseph Kochan, Emma Kochan, Hope Kochan, Owen Kochan, and Steven Kochan.

Born in Detroit during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI when Calvin Coolidge was president of the 48 United States of America.  The first motion picture with a sound track – The Jazz Singer – premiered the month Cass was born.  Cass was proud of his Catholic faith and his Polish heritage.  Cass and Teddy have been members at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Dearborn Heights for 60+ years.  A U.S. Army veteran (1946 – 1947), Cass served in an Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He met his wife of 64 years, Teddy, when he worked for the railroad and she worked for the Pullman Company.  He also worked for (and retired from) Ford Motor Company as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning skilled tradesman for 24 years.  His childhood wish was to see and explore the great American West.  This dream was fulfilled when Cass and Teddy traveled throughout the American West, especially in Arizona, during the years following his retirement.  A longtime Detroit Tiger fan, Cass lived to see the Tigers win all four of the team's World Series championships in 1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984.  Cass also witnessed all four of the Detroit Lions' NFL championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957.

Quiet, humble service to family members, loved ones, and friends was the hallmark of his time among us.  Showing up, pitching in, helping out, and being present to others in times of joy and in times of sadness was how Cass lived.  During the past 12 years, following his stroke and partial paralysis, the love of his life – Teddy – provided dedicated care and service to Cass.  Now Cass knows the fullness of God's mercy and goodness.  May the Lord Jesus Christ welcome Cass into His loving arms and may our Blessed Mother bring consolation and healing to his family and friends.