Peter N Ess Warren, Michigan Obituary

Peter N Ess

Peter Nicholas Ess August 2, 1930-September 23, 2020 Peter Nicholas Ess passed away peacefully on September 23, 2020 at his home in Rochester, Michigan. He was born August 2, 1930 In Nakovo, Yugoslavia to Peter and Theresa (Thomas) Ess. He grew up in Molidorf. During WWII, April 1945, the family was forced from their home into concentration camp. In May 1947, Peter escaped, telling his parents to escape as soon as they could. They were reunited in Vienna, Austria in May of 1948, where plans were made to immigrate to the United States. The family arrived in the US in October 1949, and began to build a beautiful prosperous life. Unbeknownst to Peter, his life partner had already chosen him. Anna, daughter of Peter and Maria (Albrecht) Zapfl; still in Yugoslavia, also having escaped concentration camp, had seen a picture of Peter, and stated “that is a guy I would like to meet”. As fate would have it, on Christmas Eve 1952, Peter’s friends were to take two girls who had just immigrated from Europe out to a show. Peter, the only one with a car, offered to drive. Those girls were Anna and her sister, Rose. Peter and Anna were married August 29, 1953, just 8 months after they met. Peter was working for various manufacturing companies, also as part owner of Welk-ko Fabricators, when he decided to open his own business in December 1970, P-ESS Sheet Metal Fab., Inc., alongside his wife Anna. His legacy continues in the same business today, with his sons and grandsons at the helm. His family was his life. “Otta,” as his grandchildren called him, always went out of his way to bring a smile to everyone’s face with his optimism and playful character. He enjoyed playing cards with his Carpathian friends, bowling, golfing, telling jokes and most of all fishing and making memories at the cottage he purchased on Tee Lake for his family to enjoy! He will be missed dearly by the many lives that he touched. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Peter (1981) and Theresa (1972); two brothers, Nikolaus (1926) and Andreas (1937). He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna; two sons John (Elaine) Ess and Robert (Lynn) Ess. Also surviving are six grand children; Josh (Joray) Ess, Nicole (John) Manion, Jessica (Javier) Marcus, Ryan (Julie) Ess, Jenna (Ryan) Heslin, Sean (Jesse) Ess. Also survived by 14 great grandchildren, Jaden and Jasmine Ess; Maximo and Maelyn Manion; Joaquin, Miguel and Simone Marcus; Kaitlyn, Nicholas and Matthew Ess; Cooper, Griffin and Layla Heslin; and Jakob Ess. A private family service was held in Peter’s honor due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. In lieu of flowers, please share photos, stories and memories here. Peter was a man of honor and strength, and we could not be any prouder of the life he led by his example.
August 2, 1930 - September 23, 202008/02/193009/23/2020
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Obituary

Peter Nicholas Ess August 2, 1930-September 23, 2020 Peter Nicholas Ess passed away peacefully on September 23, 2020 at his home in Rochester, Michigan. He was born August 2, 1930 In Nakovo, Yugoslavia to Peter and Theresa (Thomas) Ess. He grew up in Molidorf. During WWII, April 1945, the family was forced from their home into concentration camp. In May 1947, Peter escaped, telling his parents to escape as soon as they could. They were reunited in Vienna, Austria in May of 1948, where plans were made to immigrate to the United States. The family arrived in the US in October 1949, and began to build a beautiful prosperous life. Unbeknownst to Peter, his life partner had already chosen him. Anna, daughter of Peter and Maria (Albrecht) Zapfl; still in Yugoslavia, also having escaped concentration camp, had seen a picture of Peter, and stated “that is a guy I would like to meet”. As fate would have it, on Christmas Eve 1952, Peter’s friends were to take two girls who had just immigrated from Europe out to a show. Peter, the only one with a car, offered to drive. Those girls were Anna and her sister, Rose. Peter and Anna were married August 29, 1953, just 8 months after they met. Peter was working for various manufacturing companies, also as part owner of Welk-ko Fabricators, when he decided to open his own business in December 1970, P-ESS Sheet Metal Fab., Inc., alongside his wife Anna. His legacy continues in the same business today, with his sons and grandsons at the helm. His family was his life. “Otta,” as his grandchildren called him, always went out of his way to bring a smile to everyone’s face with his optimism and playful character. He enjoyed playing cards with his Carpathian friends, bowling, golfing, telling jokes and most of all fishing and making memories at the cottage he purchased on Tee Lake for his family to enjoy! He will be missed dearly by the many lives that he touched. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Peter (1981) and Theresa (1972); two brothers, Nikolaus (1926) and Andreas (1937). He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna; two sons John (Elaine) Ess and Robert (Lynn) Ess. Also surviving are six grand children; Josh (Joray) Ess, Nicole (John) Manion, Jessica (Javier) Marcus, Ryan (Julie) Ess, Jenna (Ryan) Heslin, Sean (Jesse) Ess. Also survived by 14 great grandchildren, Jaden and Jasmine Ess; Maximo and Maelyn Manion; Joaquin, Miguel and Simone Marcus; Kaitlyn, Nicholas and Matthew Ess; Cooper, Griffin and Layla Heslin; and Jakob Ess. A private family service was held in Peter’s honor due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. In lieu of flowers, please share photos, stories and memories here. Peter was a man of honor and strength, and we could not be any prouder of the life he led by his example.

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