NEWSPAPERS Special Edition
OCTOBER 2, 2024
MACOMB COUNTY UNCLOGS DRAIN
FILLED WITH DECADES OF DEBRIS
BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — A drain project that is expected to wind up soon should reduce the odds and effects of flooding along Van Dyke Avenue, north of 18 1/2 Mile Road, according to Macomb County officials.
Macomb County Public Works Office officials say the area around the Vokes Relief Drain, along Van Dyke, between 18 1/2 and 19 Mile roads, has been known to flood, especially as a result of heavy rains. The county says it took up the task of checking out and fixing the drain after Sterling Heights city officials heard flooding complaints.
Work on the project reportedly started in 2023, though heavy rain has been blamed
Students go ‘gaga’ over new game that Eagle Scout built
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — There’s a new game in town, and the students at Kaiser Elementary in Roseville Community Schools have gone “gaga” over it.
The popular activity of playing gaga was made possible at the school when Roseville High School junior Lucas Sides made a wooden pit specifically for the students to play the game.
Sides, a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 1407 out of St. Margaret of Scotland in St. Clair Shores, built the gaga pit as his project to become an Eagle Scout.
The Eagle Scout project is the final requirement to obtain the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America organization. There are many steps to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, including making a presentation before the Eagle Board of Review.
Gaga, similar to dodgeball, is fast paced and played inside a wooden pit shaped octagonally. Eight players can play at one time. Using a soft foam ball, the players can dodge, strike, run or jump while trying to hit their opponents with the ball below the knees. If you are hit, you are out for the rest of the game.
It’s a game often played at Boy Scout camps. Over the summer, Sides built the gaga pit at Kaiser. His younger brother, Alex, an eighth grade student at Roseville Middle School, helped out, as did several troop members who assisted with sanding the wood. Lucas held various fundraisers
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Photos provided by the Macomb County Public Works Office
TOP: Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller stands beside the Vokes Relief Drain near Van Dyke Avenue and 18 1/2 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. ABOVE: A worker vacuums the offending material.
on page 4A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
On Sept. 17, a group of Kaiser Elementary School students play the game gaga using the pit that Roseville High School junior Lucas Sides made for his Eagle Scout project.
SECOND FRONT PAGE
City honors family, volunteer for thwarting child abduction at park
BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights city and police officials recently gave many rounds of applause and more to four people credited with fighting off the kidnapping attempt of a 7-year-old girl at a Sterling Heights park in August.
During a Sept. 17 meeting, the Sterling Heights City Council honored the victim’s aunt, Alecia Swejkoski, her son, and her niece, along with Sterling Heights resident Scott VanLuven.
They were credited for doing their part to stop the girl from being abducted into a vehicle after a man seized her while she was on a bike.
Police said the suspect tried to abduct the girl at around 2:20 p.m. Aug. 13 at Clinton River North Park and then drive off with her.
But Swejkoski reportedly reached through the vehicle’s open window to grab and hold onto the suspect’s steering wheel – despite the suspect allegedly trying to make her let go by moving the car around.
In addition, her son was hit by the car while trying to block its path, police said. He told the City Council that the car injured his right leg.
At one point, VanLuven, a member of the Police Department’s Citizens on Patrol volunteer group, reportedly witnessed what was going on. He positioned his truck to block the suspect vehicle, got the suspect out of his vehicle and kept him there until police could make the arrest.
The same suspect is also accused of trying to abduct a teen girl in Clinton Township earlier that day, but the teen and a bystander reportedly thwarted that effort too.
During the Sept. 17 meeting, VanLuven and Swejkoski received plaques, and the children received medals. Sterling Heights police Chief Dale Dwojakowski congratulated the honorees and added that Swejkoski was on in-line skates during the rescue.
“She’s on Rollerblades, she’s running at the car and then jumps through the window and then beats this guy to a pulp and is screaming for (the girl) to run out of the car,” the chief said.
“So it’s, yes, it’s awesome.”
In brief remarks, Swejkoski said she is grateful for Citizens on Patrol. VanLuven also briefly addressed the council.
“I’m just glad I was there at the right time, glad everybody’s OK,” he said. “I thank everybody for supporting this volunteer unit that we’re a part of and hope it keeps going on, and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”
Councilwoman Barbara Ziarko called the situation “an example of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
“The other thing is, I always say that, don’t mess with a mom and her kid,” Ziarko said. “And in this case, it was, don’t mess with an aunt and her niece.”
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor called the event a particularly special Nice Neighbor Award presentation during his 15 years on the City Council. Taylor called VanLuven a “humble hero” and said “he deserves recognition, as much as he doesn’t want it.”
Nightmare on Auburn fall festival to return for second year
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
UTICA — Nightmare on Auburn will return for a second year from noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 in downtown Utica.
Downtown Utica will be closed for pedestrian-only access and feature a beer tent, vendors lining the street, a live music stage and family-friendly Halloween activities.
There will be trick-or-treating downtown, a family fun zone, cider and doughnuts, crafters, costume contests for people and pets, Michigan craft beer, and more.
The main stage will feature Halloween bands including Creepy Clyde and a headline performance from The 3-D Invisibles.
The family activities including trick-ortreating will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Some of the attractions will include crafts for kids, photo booths and creepy character appearances.
“Nightmare on Auburn — A Utica Fall Festival began as an idea between the city and
Photo provided by the city of Sterling Heights
Scott VanLuven, wearing an orange shirt, gets a hug while being honored for his role in the rescue of a young girl who police say was in the process of being abducted at Clinton River North Park Aug. 13. VanLuven is a member of the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Citizens on Patrol volunteer group.
Nightmare on Auburn will return for a second annual event in downtown Utica Oct. 5.
Photo provided by Gus Calandrino
Drain
from page 1A
for some delays. Using tools such as shovels, picks and hydraulic hammers, workers have been extracting and vacuuming out around five decades of hardened sediment from the underground stormwater pipe.
County officials say the job has required focusing around 4,000 linear feet of wider piping that’s several feet in diameter, and crews have also been checking and cleaning out an estimated 3,500 feet of narrower piping too.
The county says the sediment is composed of road grit, silt, sand and other debris, including, at one point, an old wheelbarrow. In a statement, Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said the composite material was “several feet thick,” and she explained that the drain ought to have been properly kept in good shape decades ago — before the problem grew so big.
“We have to correct some problems from the past, but we also have to look to the future so that future generations don’t have the same situation than what we found here,” Miller said. “We’re not just doing this for the immediacy, we’re doing it for our children, for our grandchildren.”
The county says the project has had a price tag of around $500,000, and they expect the job to be done by October. The county, Sterling Heights and the Vokes Relief Drain’s drainage district are splitting the costs.
The county added that it and Sterling Heights are in the process of putting togeth-
er the drain’s “long-term maintenance plan.” In addition, the Public Works Office said it is considering a flow study to see whether a weir east of Van Dyke should be improved to further mitigate flooding.
The drain work comes during a time when residents have complained during City Council meetings this summer about flooding in their backyards, especially when near the Clinton River.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said in a statement that the Vokes project is a critical one and an investment to protect the northern Van Dyke corridor’s homes and businesses from flooding.
“It demonstrates the commitment we’re making on behalf of companies of all sizes and the residents in the area,” the mayor said.
When asked by the Sentry what further efforts the city is taking to address flooding, especially in people’s backyards, Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawski said the city reached out to the residents so it could address their issues.
“We did find that it was mostly due to, of course, the extreme rain conditions. But we did have a couple of them that needed to have some of their own storm drains cleared. We helped them with that, so that did help relieve that issue for them,” Sierawski said.
“We did not find this to be citywide, that there was a lot of flooding. But if we had found that, we would have had to reach out to FEMA. Not the case at this time, but we’re keeping that open as an option.”
Learn more about the Macomb County Public Works Office by visiting macombgov. org/departments/public-works.
A worker dismantles hardened sediment in the drain.
Photo provided by the Macomb County Public Works Office
Macomb County prosecutor providing information to seniors about scams
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Macomb County prosecutor has been holding special events and providing booklets for seniors to learn about scams.
The goal is to promote safety and equip seniors with the knowledge to prevent their exploitation. Recent scams include fraudulent emails or phone calls from individuals impersonating police officers, fake flyers about setting up lockboxes or garage codes, phony invoices for technical support, and deceptive loan or account approval emails.
Additionally, some scams involve callers posing as relatives in distress or using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones’ voices. The Prosecutor’s Office reminds seniors that it’s crucial to avoid sharing personal information over the phone or via email with unknown sources.
“S.C.A.M.S. — Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors” is a booklet the Prosecutor’s Office has put together and made available at various events.
The next scam prevention presentation with Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido will take place 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township. Register for the program at lorenzocultural
Nightmare
from page 3A
Connect Macomb to create a fun, autumn event in downtown Utica,” Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino said. “We held our inaugural Nightmare on Auburn last year. We were pleasantly surprised by the huge turnout. We expect this year to be even better.
“This year, we’ve added some incredible bands who will be providing music all day long. Creepy Clyde is a unique performer who will thrill kids and adults alike. The 3-D Invisibles are a legendary band, which has been performing in Detroit since the 1980s. Their songs are all about the classic monsters that many of us grew up watching on Saturday afternoon television. They are making a special and rare appearance in Macomb County. You won’t want to miss this.”
According to the 3-D Invisibles Facebook page, the band is “a Frankenstein-like fusion of early punk rock, Famous Monsters magazine, 60s AM pop, 50s sci-fi and EC comics.”
The Nighmare on Auburn schedule will
center.com/events.
The free scams booklet will be available at the Sterling Heights Fall Senior Expo 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Century Banquet Center, 33204 Maple Lane Drive.
“Through free presentations and S.C.A.M.S. booklets, we arm our vulnerable seniors with the knowledge to prevent fraud. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to safeguarding your golden years,” Lucido said.
Heather Esposito, Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office outreach coordinator,
begin with trick-or-treating downtown from noon to 3 p.m. Live music will be going on from 2 to 8 p.m., with Creepy Clyde taking the stage at 2 p.m. and the 3-D Invisibles taking the stage at 7 p.m. The costume contest will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“Nightmare on Auburn is the perfect way to begin the scary season,” Calandrino said.
Tom Whittaker, the director of operations at Connect Macomb, said organizers are thrilled to bring the Nightmare on Auburn festival back to downtown Utica.
“Our first year was a risk, and even with not the best weather we estimated 3,000 to 4,000 guests visited at some point during the event. We learned a lot in year one and expect year two to be even better,” he said.
Attractions he highlighted included the costume contests.
“New this year we’ve added two costume contests, one for pets and another for people who want to show off their look for spooky season. Nightmare on Auburn is the official kick off to ‘spooky season’ in Macomb County and we hope you bring the whole family to join us,” he said.
said she loves working at senior expos with Lucido.
“It’s always a highlight for me, and I make a point to remind my parents and their friends about the event because they look forward to it just as much. Each time they attend, they uncover new insights and resources that make a difference in their lives.
It’s gratifying to see firsthand how our office, and the many dedicated vendors, positively impact our senior community,” she said. For more information or to preregister, visit seniorexpousa.com/2024-sterlinghts-fall-attendee.html or contact Esposito at (586) 469-5642 or heather.esposito@ma combgov.org.
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Served with Redskins and Vegetable, Available after 4pm
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office will give information to seniors on scams at events in October. Photos provided by Heather Esposito
STINK BUGS: THE BUMBLING PEST
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — As the days get shorter and the air cooler, the telltale signs of fall emerge: cider and donuts, gourds, pumpkin spiced lattes and, of course, the great stink bug hibernation.
Homes throughout metro Detroit will be breached and besieged by the bumbling but harmless brown marmorated stink bug this fall and winter, seeking safe shelter over the darker months.
“When we get about less than 13 hours daylight, there is a chemical change within the stink bug that makes it move from reproducing and feeding to searching for a place to spend the winter,” said David Lowenstien, a Michigan State University Extension consumer horticulture educator. “Naturally, stink bugs will spend the winter in leaf litter or tree bark, but where there’s a lot of homes or barns or sheds, that can be a more protective place to spend the wintertime.”
Making their way inside through the smallest of cracks and crevices, brown marmorated stink bugs choose to spend their time doing as little as possible. The daylightinduced chemical change prohibits them from reproducing, and they cannot find food indoors, so they spend the months doing as much as they can to save their energy.
Brown marmorated stink bugs are an invasive species of stink bug. It was first detected in the United States in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, possibly arriving stateside by hitching a ride in shipping
containers from either China or Japan. They then spread across the eastern U.S.
“Around the 2000s was when the midAtlantic fruit growers really became very alarmed by them and had a lot of fruit damage in their orchards,” said Julianna Wilson, a Michigan State assistant professor of tree fruit entomology.
Brown marmorated stink bugs have a long straw-like mouth, which they use to suck the juices of fruits, vegetables and other plants. This leaves a lumpy, brown and corklike plant drained of its juices, potentially ruining whole crop yields. As the bugs made landfall in Michigan in 2010, finding a way to manage the stink bug was a top priority for agricultural scientists.
Ultimately however, the brown marmorated stink bug never became as much of an agricultural threat as it was on the Atlantic coast. For one, there is a large variety of food sources for stink bugs in Michigan, allowing the bugs to spread out and not target only a select few crops. Parasites have also played a role in managing the brown marmorated stink bug. A microsporidian, or parasitic fungus, found to infect native stink bugs has made the jump to the brown marmorated stink bug, reducing the bugs ability to lay eggs when populations grow too large.
Another nonnative insect species from Asia, the samurai wasp, has made its way to the U.S. and preys on brown marmorated stink bug populations. The tiny one-eighth of an inch long black wasp specializes in attacking brown marmorated stink bug eggs, using the eggs to lay their own larvae. The
samurai wasp is incapable of stinging humans and has not been observed targeting native stink bug eggs.
“(The samurai wasp) came here (and) we haven’t seen any big effects other than with this particular stink bug, which it does
really well on in its native host range,” Wilson said. “It has not become the pest that we thought it would become.”
While research into brown marmorated stink bug management is still ongoing, the
LEFT: Brown marmorated stink bugs arrived in the United States from Asia in 1996, spreading from Pennsylvania into Michigan in 2010.
Photo by Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
RIGHT: The samurai wasp uses brown marmorated stink bug eggs to lay its own larvae, providing a check on the brown marmorated stink bug population.
Photo by Guido Bohne, Bugwood.org
Bugs
species has largely found its place in the environment.
“We have the tools we need when they’re needed to be able to combat this pest,” Wilson said. “We’re not in the, ‘Oh no it’s an invasive species’ stage anymore. It’s here and established and we know how to deal with it, so it’s not an emergency or big concern like it was.”
In the home, the biggest threat brown marmorated stink bugs post to humans is increased irritation. A stink bug sighting is commonly marked by the brown guitar pickshaped creature slowly stumbling out from a windowsill or curtain or some other hiding place. Perhaps once disturbed they will take flight, flapping wings and meandering through the air with all the subtlety of a 747. And should you try squishing one, its namesake cilantro-scented pheromone will stink up the air around where it is struck down.
“They’re a moderate garden pest,” Lowenstien said. “The main issue with brown marmorated stink bugs are nuisance issues in the fall when they might congregate inside
or outside of people’s homes … The only risk would be squishing them on fabrics; I would not recommend squishing them on furniture or squeezing them indoors, because they will release that smell, and they can stain furniture.”
To get rid of stink bugs indoors, Lowenstien recommends drowning them in soapy water or sucking up stink bugs with a vacuum cleaner. Stink bugs can be trapped into drowning by placing a light over a pan of soapy water; the light will attract the bugs, causing them to fall into the pan.
Keeping stink bugs out of the home, however, is a futile effort. Checking for openings and gaps in walls is the most that can be done, as stink bugs will get inside though any little crack they can find. Stink bugs may congregate on the west and south sides on the exterior of homes in the fall, and spraying them with water or vacuuming them up is enough to remove them.
“Having them inside of your house doesn’t mean that you have failed to protect your home in any way,” Lowenstien said. “Insects are very smart at finding small gaps and cracks to make their way indoors, because they know that winter is coming, too.”
End of Watch
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — Car buffs who attend this year’s Jammin’ at the Junction will have the opportunity to pay their respects to four Roseville police officers who died in the line of duty.
The annual car show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5
LEFT: This 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic is scheduled to be on display at Jammin’ at the Junction from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 on Utica Road, between Gratiot Avenue and 12 Mile Road, in Roseville. The car pays
CHEVY CAPRICE CLASSIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN ROSEVILLE OFFICERS
p.m. Sept. 28 on Utica Road between Gratiot Avenue and 12 Mile Road in Roseville. The event is open to the public and free to spectators.
During the day, car owners will display their soupedup muscle cars, classic models, coupes, convertibles and more. The festivities also will include live music, food vendors and awards.
One car that will catch the public’s attention is a 1977
Chevrolet Caprice Classic, which Roseville City Manager and Police Commissioner Ryan Monroe owns and maintains. He purchased the vehicle with his own money a few years ago to honor the dedicated Roseville patrolmen who died while serving and protecting the residents of the city.
“I plan to have the car there,” said Monroe, a former police officer. “When you work the road, that is your of-
tribute to four Roseville police officers who died in the line of duty.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
See CAPRICE on page 9A
ABOVE: This display plaque lists the many local businesses and Roseville police officers that helped restore the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic on their own time at no cost to the city.
Photo by Maria Allard
fice. It’s a nice thing for the department and community to have the police vehicle at Jammin’ at the Junction. People like it.”
When shopping around for a commemorative car, Monroe “looked at all kinds of vehicles.” While the ’77 model was never a police car, Monroe felt the spacious and comfortable sedan was the best representation for the officers who lost their lives.
The honored patrolmen are: Albert O. DeSmet, Robert Alfred Young, William Oliver and Lawrence Cooney. All four men are remembered on the Officer Down Memorial Page website at odmp.org. The website tells brief stories of the law enforcement officers and the circumstances in which they died.
DeSmet was killed when his patrol car was struck during a high-speed pursuit Nov. 5, 1987. DeSmet, 44, was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
According to the website, Clinton Township police were pursuing a vehicle traveling into Roseville after the driver had
rammed and hit two vehicles. DeSmet and his partner, James Edwards, activated their emergency lights and pulled onto the southbound lanes of Gratiot Avenue when the vehicle struck them from behind.
DeSmet’s patrol car slid into the median and he was killed while Edwards was reportedly injured. The driver continued on until he crashed at an intersection. As time went on, the driver of the vehicle was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was committed to a state hospital for four years and released.
Young’s “End of Watch” occurred Feb. 18, 1978, when he suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after pursuing a suspect on foot. The 51-year-old officer was assisting an ambulance crew that was having trouble restraining a man. The suspect then broke free and ran from the scene.
Young chased after him, tackled and handcuffed him and returned him to the ambulance. After a few minutes, the patrolman collapsed. The married father of three was transported to a local hospital where he died.
The Officer Down Memorial Page states that Oliver and Cooney — on duty together June 15, 1937 — died by gunfire
after they apprehended a youth who was under arrest for burglarizing a local gas station.
The suspect and a second juvenile were handcuffed and being placed into a patrol car when one of them grabbed Oliver’s handgun and shot him. When Cooney heard the gunshots, he rushed to the scene and was shot at by the suspects.
“He began to chase the suspects and as he rounded the corner he was shot several times,” the website states. “Although wounded, he continued to fire at the suspects.”
Cooney drove himself to the police station and collapsed. A milkman passing by took him to a local hospital, but he did not survive his injuries, leaving behind his wife and two sons. Oliver succumbed to his wounds about one month later on July 12. He was survived by his wife and four children.
The 19-year-old suspect in the shootout was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, he was paroled Jan. 25, 1963.
“I wanted to acknowledge those officers and draw attention to the police and city,” Monroe said. “I think it’s so important
to remember their sacrifices.”
Many local organizations have offered their time to help restore the Chevy without any cost to the city of Roseville or the Police Department, as no city funds were used for the project.
“The Roseville Auto Shop was generous to give it a good tune-up and make it road ready,” Monroe said. “Lafata Auto Body helped with some of the body work.”
Other contributors listed on a display plaque include Automotive Color Supply Inc., in Roseville; Van’s Towing & Transport in Roseville; US Farathane, of Sterling Heights; ABS Storage Products in Detroit; Majik Graphics in Clinton Township; and Roseville officers Brian Dobrzycki, David Lukasavage, Matthew Lesperance and his dad, Dennis Lesperance. The police officers volunteered on their own time.
The Caprice Classic is stored in a city building and taken out on occasion for events, including parades.
“It’s a pet project of mine,” Monroe said. “It’s more for the police and the city of Roseville.”
For more information on Jammin’ at the Junction or to register your car, visit roseville-mi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=58.
Gaga
from page 1A
to pay for the wood, brackets and other supplies needed for the project.
“I think the elementary school needed one so they could play,” said Lucas, himself a fan of the game.
He has enjoyed his time in Scouting.
“I have a lot of friends in it,” he said. “It teaches me a lot of things that will help me in life.”
On Sept. 19, Lucas, Alex and their parents, Kristin and Brian Sides, visited the school to see the gaga pit in action. A class of fourth graders was playing the game and thanked Lucas for making the pit.
“I’m really good at this game,” Derrick Miller said. “Thank you for creating it.”
“Thank you,” William Kunze told Lu-
Honors
from page 3A
Taylor also praised Swejkoski for protecting the kids and called the abduction situation the worst nightmare for any parent, one he doesn’t want to see happen anywhere.
“I’ve thought about this a lot: Is it just a coincidence that Scott was there? Is it di-
cas. “I love the pit. It’s amazing.”
The Kaiser family also did its part to help with the project. Students raised $100 during “Electronics Day” in which they were allowed to bring their laptops or Nintendo Game Boys to school and use them for an hour for a donation of $1.
Lucas once attended Kaiser.
“He was an amazing student,” Kaiser Elementary School Principal Kelly Grider said. “Always very strong academically and kind to everyone else.”
The Eagle Scout project gives the Scouts lessons in community service, leadership, teamwork and project management.
To earn the Eagle Scout rank, Scouts must progress through the ranks from Tenderfoot to Eagle, earn 22 merit badges, serve in a leadership position and participate in a scoutmaster conference.
vine intervention that Scott was there? Is it that we’ve got dedicated volunteers, and if it wasn’t Scott there, it would have been somebody else?” Taylor said.
“I tend to think it’s the latter – that we just have good people in this community that look out for each other.”
Learn more about Sterling Heights by visiting sterlingheights.gov or by calling (586) 446-2489.
Roseville High School junior Lucas Sides, third from left, made a gaga pit for the students at Kaiser Elementary School as his Eagle Scout project. Pictured with him and Kaiser Elementary School Principal Kelly Grider are fourth grade students, from left, Gracie Farley, Carsyn Eaton, Jason Walker, and Aubrie Ballard.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
WUJEK-CALCATERRA & SONS: Round-the-Clock Compassion since 1913
With 15 licensed funeral directors, totaling 350 years of combined experience, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is uniquely qualified to bring peace and comfort to grieving families in their time of need. And these aren’t ordinary funeral directors. Each one was specifically sought out by the Wujek and Calcaterra families based on their individual talents and expertise.
Licensed funeral director Dominick Astorino, managing director at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, is honored to be a part of this exceptional team. “My colleagues and I are career professionals,” stated Astorino. “Most of us have been with Wujek-Calcaterra for over 20 years. We are dedicated to our career in a long-standing way.
“We also have an excellent collection of younger funeral directors. As the embalming professor at Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, I have taught many of them. I see their potential from the first day I meet them and watch them develop.”
These devoted individuals represent a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. They have formed enduring relationships with local families and the community. They are familiar with the neighborhood churches and have worked alongside their pastors. This allows them to connect with all types of families, putting them at
ease at a most difficult and overwhelming time.
Furthermore, their compassion isn’t strictly confined to business hours. Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is one of the few funeral homes in the area where there is someone present 24/7.
According to Astorino, “We have never taken a day off since opening our original location in Detroit back in 1913. Christmas, holidays, brownouts, the worst snow storms – there has always been someone here to pick up the phone. We treat our families the way we would like to be treated. They never have to talk to an answering machine, and they know their loved one is never left unattended.”
In addition to the 15 funeral directors, there is a support staff of 35 capable and compassionate individuals to complete the team at Wujek-Cacaterra & Sons. “We can serve all of our families, giving them everything they need – much like a personalized concierge.”
From preplanning to aftercare services, Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons is available seven days a week, 365 days a year. They offer two welcoming locations: 36900 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights, phone (586) 588-9117; and 54880 Van Dyke Avenue in Shelby Township, phone (586) 217-3316. For more information, visit wujekcalcaterra.com or follow Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons on Facebook.
