Peter J. Wagner, Jr.

Peter J. Wagner Jr., age 64, passed away at his home on Friday, May 23, 2025, surrounded by his family. Pete was born in Dearborn, Michigan on August 9, 1960. His parents were Peter J. Wagner, Sr. and Barbara (Mathews). After the death of his mother at a young and tender age, Pete and his siblings remained close, and he was blessed to have them by his side as he received his Last Rites before he passed away.

Pete was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he met many of his lifelong friends. Pete worked as a Service Engineer in the automotive industry traveling worldwide to places such as Europe, South America, Canada and Mexico. On June 21, 1986, Pete married Zoe at St. Rene Catholic Parish and they walked this journey of life together for nearly 40 years. They lived in Royal Oak in a small two-bedroom bungalow where their first child, Karly Ann, was born in 1990. After moving to Romeo, they had their second child, Vincent Thomas, in 1992. Anyone that knew Pete knew that his children meant the world to him, but his true passion was cars. Over many years he owned and restored many types of cars from his beloved 1970 Camaro SS to his 1984 Chevy El Camino. He loved to snowmobile with his friends and his son in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the deeper the snow, the better. Pete was a kind, generous soul who was quiet, but had a touch of “badass” in his character often drag racing down Woodward Avenue. He spent many days/nights on Woodward with all of his car buddies admiring different types of vehicles from all over the world during the Woodward Dream Cruise, with Pete spending at least 15 minutes talking to all 1.2 million people there every year.

Pete had many lifelong friends who possess confidential and incriminating information that they will take to their graves, as well as a lifetime of laughter, jokes and Three Stooges skits memorized and used during all conversations.

Pete is survived by his wife, Zoe; his daughter, Karly (Ben Tucker) of St. Joseph; his son, Vincent (Emily) of Beverly Hills; siblings, Carol (William) McConnell, Ann (David) Spala, Ray (Joan) Wagner and Pamela Wagner; numerous nieces and nephews who he adored and was very proud of every day.

Pete was met in Heaven by his parents, and his dear nephew, Brian McConnell.

Funeral services will be on June 7, 2025, at 11 AM at St Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel's Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan. 

We will be Celebrating his Life at Michaywe Tavern in the Woods, 1535 Opal Lake Road, Gaylord MI 49735, with numerous bottles of Pete’s favorite bourbon, TX, and food immediately after the funeral services.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.