Frank A. Bauss

Frank A. "Tony" Bauss

Age 83, long-time resident of Northville and Harbor Springs, passed away November 12, 2022. He was born on October 4, 1939 in Detroit; son of Harvey C. and Mary V. (Harrell) Bauss, Sr.  Tony graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit; Class of 1957.  He attended Ferris State and the University of Michigan before receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business at Michigan State University. A member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, he appreciated the brotherhood that it encompassed.  Tony proudly served his country in the Army Reserve as an assistant to the Chaplain.

Tony worked as a custom home and commercial builder (general contractor) in the area for over 45 years.  He loved what he did and used his meticulous eye for detail and his respect for tradition to construct quality buildings and developments.

Tony loved a good project and was always building something or tinkering around. His favorite place to be was his home on the shore of Lake Michigan in Harbor Springs (Good Hart), which he built in 1983 ­­­with his then wife Irene (Lamanen).  Following his retirement, he spent the majority of his t­­ime there together with his beloved partner Pati Heath. Throughout the years, family visits were spent either in the water, on the slopes, or working on maintenance, construction, and beautification projects. Tony, who liked to ski, had a group of friends that made an annual pilgrimage to Boyne Highlands each winter for a weekend of fun.

Particularly in his later years, “Gramps” loved cooking big breakfasts for his grandchildren and calling them daily to follow their life and sport successes, whether it was football at Groves High School and later SVSU, soccer in Ontario, recitals at Oakdale Academy, sailing in Little Traverse Bay, or impromptu piano concerts over the phone. He was a beloved father, brother, and friend, and a one-of-a-kind grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Tony is survived by his loving children, Erik (Deanna Alfredo) Bauss and Kathryn (Bernd) Steinbock; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Francesca “Frankie”, Maximilian, Kunigunde, Wenzel, and Sebastian; and his brothers Harvey C. Bauss, Jr. and William David Bauss.  He was preceded in death by his partner of 25 years, Patricia “Pati” Heath and his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Rocky's of Northville, 41122 Seven Mile Road, Northville  Please RSVP to Kayte Steinbock via text at 226.926.8902 or email at [email protected] .  Mr. Bauss will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Homes for Our Troops .