Cyril (Cy) Buersmeyer was born on November 8, 1925 in the small German American settlement of Westphalia, Missouri (pop. 400). Cy snuck his way at 17 into the Air Force to join two brothers in service during WWII. After the war, Cy attended the University of Missouri, where he met his beloved wife June – a student at nearby Stephens College. They moved to Dearborn when Cy began his long and greatly enjoyed career with Ford Motor Company. With typical self-deprecating humor, Cy would state that he was not sure if the recruiter hired him because of his grades or because of the tenacity it took to hitchhike across several states to get to the interview on time.

Cy led by humble example, grounded by love of God and family, and dedicated to education and service. As a longtime member of St. Anselm Church, he accepted leadership roles on the parish council and contributed in any way he could to parish life. He shared his strong, vibrant voice at Mass as a lector and in joyful singing that rang throughout the church. That they are members of St. Anselm is a story of Cy's problem-solving nature: when attempting to enroll his kids at St. Anselm School, he was told that classes were full. He offered to teach 8th grade catechism for as long as his kids attended school. They were enrolled the next day.

If given a choice of another career, Cy would have been an architect and builder. He understood the importance of firm foundations, careful preparation, and perseverance in reaching goals. He applied these principles in large and small ways – from his determination to build the best squirrel-proof bird feeder; in his meticulous care in designing and building a family cottage up north and in lending financial expertise to several non-profit organizations to help them establish firm foundations to grow their work. To this end, Cy served on the board of Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS). Cy was deeply moved when COTS named one of their permanent residences "Buersmeyer Manor" in his honor. Cy was on the boards of Michigan Nonprofit Housing and the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. Cy and June endowed scholarships at Mercy High School and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.

Cy and June made Allegria Village (formerly Henry Ford) their home for 7 years. Soon after moving in, Cy set a personal goal of meeting and remembering the names of five new people a week. Always striving to learn new things, Cy applied his drafting skills to learning to paint for the joy of the experience (with good success). Cy embraced this new community – going so far as to share, with June, their "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" on a video produced in house for St. Valentine's Day. Cy cherished these new friendships and their lively dinner table conversations.

Cy and June raised five children blessed to have these wonderful parents in their lives for all these years. Their children fondly remember the long summer trips throughout the country, with dad towing their Puma trailer behind a trusty Ford station wagon. They smile at memories of vacations to both Florida and Missouri each year to visit grandparents. They treasure the memory of their dad's beautiful, booming laugh that acted like a beacon in any crowd.

Cy is deeply loved and profoundly missed by his beloved wife June; children, Keith, Judy (Al), David, Ann (Sunil d.) Brian (d.); Grandchildren Alex, Carrie (Leon) Sean (Sasha), Kyle (Coursey), Juli, Levi; great grandchildren Luke, Piper, Jack.

Visitation: Thursday, October 12th, 4pm-8pm; Scripture Service 6pm at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48124

Funeral Mass: Friday, October 13th, 10 am: Allegria Village Chapel, 15101 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI 48126.

Light refreshments following Mass.

Interment by family at Mount Kelly Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest a donation to one of the organizations Cy supported.