Joseph Henry Holysz

Joseph Henry Holysz of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away in his home on March 15, 2021 at the age of 72. Joe was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 6, 1948, the son of Roman Paul Holysz and Marion Josephine (Chat) Holysz who both died in 2014. Joe is survived by his wife of 46 years, Christine Marie (Porritt) Holysz, their daughters Amy Lynn Holysz and Mary Beth (Holysz) Getty, her husband Michael Getty and their children Simon and Benjamin. Joe was preceded in death by 41 year old son Samuel David Holysz who died on October 10, 2020. Joe and Sam are survived by Sam’s sons Nathaniel, Luke and Christopher, and Sam’s wife Meredith and her children Tanner and Kiera. Joe is survived by three brothers and their wives, Michael and Marilyn, Timothy and Janet, Peter and Betty. Their other brother Patrick died In 2016. Joe is survived by many other relatives and lifelong friends. Joe was hired right out of Ferris State College by the Jim Gilmore Cadillac and Pontiac dealership in Kalamazoo. He began working there on 4/21/1970 and retired from the company 43 years later on 7/6/2013 at age 65. He always strived to put the customer first. Joe started out in new car prep, moved on to rust-proofing, then he specialized in vinyl tops and pin striping. For many years he got up early to remove snow for the dealership. He also helped out elderly friends and neighbors by plowing for them. He was on the go with jeep and plow during the 1978 snow blizzard which buried Kalamazoo as well as the rest of the state. Joe and the building he worked in called the Trim Shop survived the F3 tornado in Kalamazoo in 1980. In the immediate aftermath, Joe was glad to be of help in any way he could. Joe was actively involved in shop safety (for OSHA compliance), and the dealership’s fundraiser Touchdown for Diabetes. Joe finished out his working years with maintenance and janitorial duties at their S. Westnedge location which is now called Cole Cadillac Buick GMC. For a few years, Joe even taught a class on vehicle maintenance at KVCC. Joe really enjoyed introducing family and friends to the great outdoors in Michigan which included camping, hiking, and ice fishing. Joe also fished in Canada and Alaska. Clearly, his main pastime was fishing. Joe’s family had many delicious meals of fresh fried-up Bluegill fillets. Burial will be at Cooper Township Cemetery at the corner of N. Riverview Drive and D Avenue, for immediate family only. Arrangements by Parchment Redmond Funeral Home. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net