Jerome A. Latuszek

Jerome A. Latuszek, 83 of Gaylord, known to many as Jerry or Jake, passed away at home on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Born in Gaylord on July 7, 1939, to Joseph and Julia (Samkowiak) Latuszek, Jerry was a 1957 graduate of St. Mary High School and a lifelong Gaylord resident.

On October 24, 1964, Jerry and Jacquelyn Duff were married at St. Mary Church in Gaylord, where they lived their life together for almost 59 years, raising their five children. 

Jerry worked at Hidden Valley Resort/Otsego Ski Club for 33 years, many of those years as Chef.  Later, he worked 15 years at Georgia Pacific.  A man with a strong work ethic who enjoyed hard work, he also operated a firewood cutting and delivery business, with the help of his family, for more than 50 years.

In addition to his love of cutting wood, he enjoyed cross country skiing, playing his guitar or one of his many harmonicas, and dancing.  Jerry and Jackie loved Polka music and were the best of dancers!  He was a lifelong sports fan, an avid supporter of St. Mary athletics, and a member of the St. Mary School sports hall of fame as part of the 1957 boys’ basketball team. 

He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Cathedral and a 4^th degree member of the Gaylord Knights of Columbus.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jackie; his children, Simone Latuszek of Gaylord, Celeste (Stephen) Swanson of Gaylord, Peter (Salome) Latuszek of Hubbard Lake, Tad (Maia) Latuszek of Gaylord, and Camille (Todd) Kenyon of Gaylord; grandchildren, Mark Swanson, Jacob (Megan) Latuszek, Nathan (Joanna) Latuszek, Emma Latuszek, Issabel Latuszek, Christian Latuszek, Madeline Latuszek, Samuel Latuszek, Brice Kenyon, Brent Kenyon, Caleb Major and Elijah Major; great grandchildren, Tyler Kreil, Taytum Kreil, Tristy Kreil, Treyson Latuszek, and Taelyn Latuszek; sisters, Delphine Fahler of Gaylord and Lorraine Szocinski of Lenoir City, TN; a brother, Victor (Shirley) Latuszek of Pinconning; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Kenneth Latuszek. 

Visitation with the family will take place at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service from 3:00-6:00 PM Monday, June 5, 2023, followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at St. Mary Cathedral, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow at Otsego Lake Township Cemetery.

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in his memory to St. Mary Cathedral’s New Heights Project, 606 N Ohio, Gaylord, MI  49735 or Hospice of Michigan, 830 S. Otsego, Gaylord, MI  49735.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on the guestbook, below.