Christopher Edward Jurczyszyn

Christopher Edward Jurczyszyn, 57, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020. Chris was born in Detroit on March 22, 1963, to Robert Jurczyszyn and Joan (Gdula). Chris graduated from Stevenson High School in Livonia MI and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Institute of Technology. Chris had a long career in the laser processing industry receiving a patent while working at General Motors. He was most recently employed as a Senior Mechanical Engineer with Coherent NA, Inc. in Plymouth. MI. Praised by his coworkers for his commitment to maintain his high standards and excellence of his work product. Chris was an avid musician/writer/producer playing multiple instruments with his lifelong buddies (Tim and Jim Ryan) in a garage band, The Walking Fish. He was also a long time roller coaster enthusiast and a member of DAFE (Dark Amusements and Funhouse Enthusiast Club) traveling throughout the country with friends and family to ride the world’s oldest roller coaster, Leap-the-Dips, at Lakeland Park in Altoona, PA, the world famous Cyclone roller coaster and Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, the Flying Turns at Knoebels, Elysburg, PA, and the Derby Racers at Playland Park (made famous from the movie ‘Big’), Rye, NY. He was able to attend the re-opening of one of his favorite amusement parks July 4th weekend, Indiana Beach, in Monticello, IN. Chris was a Renaissance man with many interests and had extensive knowledge in multiple areas including his skill as a gourmet chef with a world class kitchen, World War II military strategy and airplanes, history, conspiracy theories, classic movies, comic books, classic music/literature, opera, and a passionate fan of all Detroit’s professional sports teams. It was not unusual for Chris to stop spontaneously at the Wright-Patterson National Airforce Museum when traveling through Ohio, or travel to different states to compete with his control line airplanes club. One of Chris’ passions was hand making his costume for the family’s annual Halloween Road Rally. His costumes included a classic pink bunny, the flying monkey from the Wizard of Oz, a classic wizard, the Robot Monster, King Kong, Charlie Brown, and of course the classic red devil. Chris’ most endearing quality was his love for friends and family arriving at Christmas or birthday parties with his hands full of presents for his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed picking up odd shot glasses for friends at work or sending classic comic book and Godzilla post cards to his great-nephews. Chris also played a major role in the Christmas and Easter pierogi making – he was in charge of the boiling pot for the typical 700 pierogi batch. He was much loved and forever missed. Chris is survived by his parents: Robert and Joan Jurczyszyn, his brothers: Robert (Susan) Jurczyszyn, Matthew (Susan) Jurczyszyn; sisters Rebecca Jurczyszyn (Paul Stelmaszek), Deborah Maresh; nieces and nephews: Leia Wilson (Mike Wilson), Damon Trestain (Briana Saylor), Levi Troyer, Colin Maresh, Trevor Maresh, Emily Maresh, Amelia Maresh, Rachel Jurczyszyn, Jack Jurczyszyn, Brandon Jurczyszyn and Haley Jurczyszyn. He is also survived by two great nephews, Reece Wilson and Wyatt Wilson and the late Lana Wilson. Chris’s family will receive guests at a Visitation from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday July 13, 2020 at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154. Per the Governor of Michigan, masks will be required. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday July 14, 2020 at St. Colette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48152. Please share a memory of Chris on his tribute wall.