Donald "Don" A. Romanski Sr.

Clearwater Beach, FL (Formerly of Dearborn, MI)

Age 88, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 in Clearwater, FL. He was born February 6, 1936 in Detroit, MI, the son of Felix and Frances (Suski) Romanski. He married Elaine Grondziak September 6, 1958 at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Dearborn, MI, and she survives.

Don was employed by Ford Motor Company for 42 years until his retirement in 1998. He began his successful career as a tool and die maker and later became an engineer. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn for 40 years and later at St. Brendan's Church in Clearwater. He was a member of the Navigators Club and volunteered at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. In his free time, he enjoyed a fine meal and spending time with family and friends.

A true handyman at heart, Don was always working on some sort of project. He loved sharing his skills by helping others. Throughout his life, he was able to build many things from scratch and had a true knack for transforming old junk into beautiful objects. Determined and self-sufficient, Don was a truly talented carpenter whose craftmanship was meticulous. He was an incredible mechanic with a life-long affinity for cars. As a young man, his black 1957 Thunderbird and his 1949 Mercury were his pride and joy. There really wasn't anything Don could not do. With hard work and practice, he was even able to change his once atrocious handwriting into perfect penmanship.

In addition to Elaine, his beloved wife of 66 years, Don is survived by his children Dean (Connie), Gale (Rick) Loftus, David (Christine), Dennis, and Duane (Gina) Romanski; grandchildren Ashley (Michael) Mastroianni, Katherine (Michael) Smith and Alex (Martha) Loftus; Andrew and Robert; Brian and Kristin; Daniel and Jennifer; and Olivia and Alexis; great-grandchildren Liliana, Angelina, Marco and Mario; brother William (Phyllis) Romanski, sister Diane (Nick) Altesleben, and granddogs Harvey, Rosie, and Marlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Frances Romanski; son Donald Romanski Jr., sisters Norma Green and Rita Ellis; and brother Edward Romanski.

The funeral mass will be held 10 am Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Church of the Divine Child with in state beginning at 9:30 am (1055 Silvery Lane, Dearborn). Viewing will take place 2-9 pm Friday, January 17, 2025 at Stanley-Turowski Funeral Home (25509 W. Warren Street, Dearborn Heights). Don will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stark Funeral Professionals with the assistance of Hubbell Funeral Home & Crematory and Stanley Turowski Funeral Home.