John Joseph Bukowski

Bay City, Michigan

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Monday, December 31, 2024, age 82. He was born on December 14, 1942, in Bay City, MI, to the late Eugene and Clara (Nowicki) Bukowski.

John was a life-long Bay City resident and 1961 graduate of St. Stanislaus High School. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran proudly serving his country sailing around the world. He retired from General Motors/Delphi in 2001 after giving 30 years of dedication and hard work. John was a faithful member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish-St. Stanislaus Church, where he had served as an usher. He was a Life Member of the St. George Society and a 3rd Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus St. Stanislaus Kostka Council 12423.

One of John’s favorite activities was RV camping all over Michigan with his wife Pat, and family, well into their retirement. He absolutely loved going up north deer hunting with his friends, taking his fair share of bucks with both gun and bow. John dedicated his spare time to his lawn that he groomed to perfection over years of labor and loved planting flowers and yard work. He was an avid reader and would watch the same John Wayne movies over and over, or as often as the television would allow.

Of all the things that brought him joy, nothing surpassed his devotion and love of his family. John was a faithful loyal husband who loved his wife, Pat, for all their 57 years of marriage. He was a selfless father who defined unconditional love to his children, Ann Marie and Paul. And his 6’2” frame was needed to house the pride, marvel and adoration that poured out of him for his grandchildren, Sam and Lauren.

John is survived by his wife Patricia (Pietrzak), children: Ann Marie (Jeff) Pendell and Paul; grandchildren: Sam and Lauren Pendell, his brother Richard (Gloria) Bukowski, and seven nieces and nephews who will miss their Uncle John. He is pre-deceased by his parents Eugene and Clara (Nowicki) Bukowski; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leo and Virginia Pietrzak; sister-in-law Marge Bukowski; brother-in-law Walter Ostrander; niece Pam Bukowski; and nephews Gregg Bukowski, John Pahota, and Suleman Haroon.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish-St. Stanislaus Church, 1503 Kosciuszko Ave., Bay City, MI 48708. Rev. Loren M. Kalinowski will celebrate Mass and Military Honors, under the auspices of the US Navy will follow Mass in church. Entombment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends will gather at Ambrose Funeral Home, 1200 Garfield Ave., Bay City, MI 48708 on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM and at the church on Friday after 10:00 AM. A Knights of Columbus Bible Presentation will be held Thursday evening at the funeral home at 6:00 PM. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish or the Bay Veterans Foundation. www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com