The Life and Love of George “Rudy” Ski

                                                 Humble servant, leader and generous benefactor

George Ski (a derivative of Smigielski), age 87 of Farmington Hills, passed away on March 11, 2026. He was born on April 23, 1938, in Detroit, to Stephen and Pelagia (nee: Olszewski) Smigielski, the third of 11 children (five being deceased). He was a beloved brother to the late James (Justine) Douglas, the late Frank (the late Kathleen) Smigielski, the late Dolores Pietruk, Steve (Ellen) Smigielski, Mary Ann (the late Earl) Tampa, the late Gregory (the late Sandra) Smigielski, Theresa (Dan) Paterson, Pat (the late Thomas) Zagorski, Cathy (Allen) O’Rear, and the late Gerard (Elaine) Smigielski. Over the years, George’s siblings gave him 33 nephews/nieces, and some 36 great nephews/nieces. The family that his parents were blessed to start has grown to a total of 90 members.

George grew up in a household where money was tight, but generosity overflowed. His father, a hardworking milkman, provided for their large family, and his mother gave whatever she could to charity, in most instances a single dollar.

Growing up, George studied under the good teachers of the Franciscan Order, who directed his path of life. With a passion and love for music, he learned to play the piano in grade school. During his high school years, at St. Francis Seminary, he also learned to play the clarinet and pipe organ. He also learned and tutored the Gregorian Chant there. He went on to sing tenor in several college and church choirs.

George and three of his brothers served in the U.S. Army. He served from 1956 to 1958. After basic training, he served as an administrative clerk in the Records Unit of the Fourth Army Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. For recreation, he played tennis on the unit’s tennis team. While serving in the Army, George studied at Trinity University and San Antonio Community College in San Antonio. When he returned to civilian life in Michigan, he continued his studies at Dearborn Community College, Wayne State University, Duns Scotus College, and the University of Detroit, where, in 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in finance. Over 17 years, George attended six colleges and accrued 312 credits. In 1984, he and Dennis Kirby co-founded the Franciscan Alumni Association.

When George was studying to become a Franciscan friar, he was given the name of Rudolf “Rudy”, which he carried over into his charitable work.

George parlayed his finance degree into a 33-year banking career, starting in an entry-level position at National Bank of Detroit. He advanced to vice president in the investment management division. During his career, and using creative strategies, he bought and sold $125-billion worth of stocks. In the midst of NBD's 1994 reorganization, George retired at age 56.

During his banking career, George was involved in the Christian Ecumenical Program to keep Christ in Christmas and Easter. He was also proactive in politics, getting elected by Livonia residents as a Republican Precinct Delegate in 1978, 1989, and 1982. Proudly, he received letters from Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and Bush acknowledging him as a compassionate and conservative Republican. 

Another of George’s loves is traveling. He has visited five continents, more than 50 countries, and many U.S. states. With more than a million air miles traveled, he has also gone to New York City some 68 times.

According to his youngest sister Catherine, George’s friendly personality made it easy for him to make friends, and he did so wherever he traveled. Some of them he is in contact with to this day. George boasts a 22-year friendship with actresses Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis, and he has the photos and birthday gifts to prove it. He treasures his friendship with “Pancho” Gonzales, the U.S. National Tennis Champ, who was his barracks mate while he served in the Army in San Antonio.

Catherine also pointed out George’s devotion to his family. “He is happiest when he spends time with family, adopted family, and others,” she wrote.

He makes sure he is available for his siblings and their families, whether for a family function or taking in a Tigers game. At his nephews' or nieces’ weddings, George sings and dances along. George enjoys hosting family gatherings – a tradition his parents would be proud he carried on. Whether at his home in Farmington Hills or the one he purchased in Bay City, George loves getting together with his family and friends.

The most important person in George’s life is Mark Gadzinski, who, Catherine said, keeps him balanced and is there for him. They travel together and enjoy the company of family and friends.

George has had his share of health issues, including cardiac disease, spinal stenosis, diabetes II, and limited walking/standing due to “phantom pain”. George battled and recovered from the challenges of alcoholism and has remained sober for more than 40 years.

He may have retired from banking, but he didn’t slow down. He remained active by volunteering and supporting worthwhile causes, working at homeless centers, the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Alcoholics Anonymous, Guest House (a rehab center for priests and nuns), Madonna University, and Angela Hospice Care Center, in Livonia, Mich. He was even lucky enough to volunteer at St. Mary’s Child Care Center for two and a half years, alongside his sister Cathy.

George’s volunteer journey with Angela Hospice began in 1998 with a dear friend, Lillian Blacha’s, dying wish. She asked George, “When I pass away, do me an honor and volunteer here. This place was made for you.”

For decades now, he has honored his friend’s wish with his steady, smiling presence at Angela Hospice. His volunteer tasks began with sweeping stairs and painting benches; and later provided him the opportunity to visit and pray with countless hospice patients.

“I was humbled,” he said, “It didn’t matter what the job was. It mattered that I could help and keep my promise to my friend.”

“I always felt welcomed,” George said, describing why he’s continued to support Angela Hospice for so long. “I loved it. I had fun, I learned from other people, my love of people and my love of life.”

George is not only one of Angela Hospice’s longest-serving volunteers, but also one of its most generous supporters. As a member of Angela Hospice’s Legacy Society, he has included Angela Hospice in his will to ensure Angela’s mission endures for generations to come. His love for bringing family together inspired him to sponsor the Family Room in the Angela Hospice Care Center A-Wing. It’s a place where family members and visitors can retreat to relax, talk, or even stay the night to be close to their loved ones.

Of course, George’s years at Angela Hospice have been marked by more than just joyful and enthusiastic service; they’ve been full of community, camaraderie, and even comedy. Like the time he came to work dressed in a priest’s robe for Halloween, only to be met by visitors eager to confess.

Through it all, George’s favorite quote has grounded him: The Serenity Prayer. “Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

“I want to pave the way,” George said. “If you have the means, or just the heart, leave something behind. Time, money, whatever you can. It all matters.”

For some 25 years, George has also been supporting Madonna University. One of the ways he gives to Madonna is very unique – through birthday gifts to family members.

George’s support of Madonna began in the Madonna library. He wasn’t a student or an alumnus who had returned. He was a retiree looking to continue to keep up with the stock market and investing, and at Madonna he could read financial papers and periodicals to his heart’s content.

Feeling grateful to the Felician Sisters and somewhat guilty for use of the library resources, George wanted to give back to the University. Sr. M. Jean Rogoszweski, the librarian, referred him to Sr. M. Danatha Suchyta, the University’s fourth president and then director of planned giving.

When his parents passed away, he established a scholarship in their name to support students with physical disabilities and financial need.

“A product of the Catholic school system, I believe in private schools,” George said. “And I promised my parents I would be fair to each of my 11 siblings and several dozen nieces and nephews, and none of them would go hungry.”

That promise inspired George’s unconventional support of Madonna. Each month since 2013, with the help of Madonna’s advancement staff, George has been sending birthday wishes to his siblings, nieces, and nephews. Each message explains that to celebrate their special day, a gift in the amount of their age has been made to Madonna University to support the family scholarship for students.

In 2024, George moved from birthday letters to custom Madonna birthday cards. “I enjoyed a special friendship with Sr. Rose Marie and many of the Felician Sisters,” he said. “My familiarity with Madonna and the relationships I have developed there have been a great way of meeting people.”

George is changing lives at Madonna, one birthday card, one scholarship at a time.

Life is but a stopping place for George. To paraphrase Stephen Grellet, (1773-1855) French Quaker and missionary, George expects to pass through this world only once. Therefore, any good that he can do, or any kindness he can show to any creatures, he hopes to have done it, for he will never pass this way again.

Visitation for George will be held on Thursday, March 19th, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and on Friday, March 20th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service, at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. He will lie in state on Saturday, March 21st, at 9:30 a.m., until the time of his Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23815 Power Rd., Farmington. A luncheon to celebrate George’s life and love is scheduled to directly follow the Funeral Mass. George will be laid to rest on Monday, March 23rd, with committal prayers beginning at 10:45 a.m., followed by entombment in St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum, 23755 Military Rd., Dearborn Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to honor George’s memory are appreciated to Angela Hospice or  Madonna University Scholarships - Stephen and Pelagia Smigielski and George A. Ski Endowed Scholarship.