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As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:
Stefan Joseph Szyszkowski, 90, a resident of Lookout Mountain, Golden, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2024, at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, after a short illness.
He was born on November 14, 1933, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, a son of the late Kazimierz and Mary (Malajnycz) Szyszkowski. Stefan was a graduate of Wayne University in Detroit, studying geology.
On May 18, 1957, he was united in marriage to the former Margaret Kilpela and the couple resided mainly in southeast Michigan until 1971 when they moved to Lansing.
Following graduation, Stefan worked for the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company in Flin Flon, Manitoba and Inco Ltd. nickel mining company in Sudbury, Ontario. He worked for several years in Costa Rica as general manager of Canada Costa Rica Mining Company, a gold prospecting concern with which he was associated until the late 1970s. In the mid-1960s, after returning from Costa Rica, Stefan owned and operated Dexter Sand and Gravel, in Dexter, Michigan. He subsequently worked at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, and in Lansing as a geologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For many years, he and Margaret operated the Harbour Shoppe Gift Shop in Copper Harbor, Michigan. On February 11, 1994, Margaret preceded him in death.
For the last 8 years of his life, Stefan resided with his daughter, Katrina, and her family in Golden.
Throughout his life he always loved being outdoors in nature. Deer hunting, beekeeping, animals (especially dogs) and vegetable gardening brought him the most joy.
Preceding him in death were his wife Margaret, his parents, an infant brother Frank, his sister Helen Szyszkoski, and his grandson David Szyszkoski.
Surviving are his Children:
Stephan (Judy) Szyszkoski of Chassell, Michigan; Kevin Koski of Decatur, Illinois; and Katrina (Ira) Bloom of Golden;
Seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren;
One sister, Annie Ray of Windsor, Ontario; One brother, Frank of Chandler, Arizona; One brother-in-law, Donald Kilpela of Copper Harbor; Numerous nieces and nephews.
Stefan directed that his remains be donated for scientific research. There will be no services at this time.
A 2025 burial will be in the Copper Harbor cemetery.
Condolences to Stefan’s family can be given through www.memorialchapel.net.
