Donald Lee Malinowski

Donald L. Malinowski, age 78, a longtime resident of Northville, passed away October 8, 2018.  He was born on July 13, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, son of Leo and Jesse (nee Gutowski) Malinowski.  Don earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and his Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management from Wayne State University.  He was united in marriage to Marjorie “Marge” Fehlig on December 29, 1962. Don and Marge were truly dedicated to each other for over 55 years.

He began working as a Civil Engineer at Oakland County in 1968; retiring in 1994. Soon after retirement he began an on-staff consulting job at Testing Engineers and Consultants. Don was an active member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) and MSPE (Michigan Society of Professional Engineers). He enjoyed reading, completing crossword puzzles, and astronomy. A main hobby of Don’s was weather spotting; collecting data and reporting his findings. He was a very talented woodworker and used his craft creating small furniture pieces. Don also created beautiful    stained glass suncatchers and lamps. In 1982 he found his favorite place to vacation; Anna Maria Island, Florida. He has many fond memories vacationing there yearly with his family, sometimes multiple times a year.  Don was a devoted and wonderful husband and an incredible and hands-on father and grandfather.

Don is survived by his wife Marge; his children, Susan (Robert “Bob”, USA Col. Ret.) Watson, Ph.D., Mary Van Camp, Matt (Mei-lu) Malinowski, and Luke (Nancy) Malinowski; his sister Marlene (Ray) Knaub; and his grandchildren, Andrew, Sarah, Sam, Zachery, Ann, Adam, and Ben. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 11, 2018 from 4pm until 8pm with a Rosary beginning at 7pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A funeral mass will be held Friday, October 12, 2018 at 2:30pm, instate at 2pm at Our Lady of Victory, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Ascension St. John and Providence Foundations , please direct your gift to the Cancer Program at St. John Providence Novi, 19251 Mack Ave, Suite 102, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.