Carl F. Wiatr, age 78, of Farmington Hills, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022, while vacationing in Pineville Mountain Kentucky State Resort Park with his beloved wife Christine.

Carl was born November 4, 1943, in Detroit, the son of Dominic and Mary (Michalik) Wiatr. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. Shortly after, he met and married Christine Kusak, and they were married on July 8, 1972, at St. Christopher Church in Detroit. Carl retired from Chrysler Corporation after 35 years of service.

Carl is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christine; daughters, Jennifer (Chris) Weber and Elizabeth (Timm) Carson; grandchildren, Ben Weber, Sarah Weber, Sam Carson and, Abby Carson; sisters-in-law, Janet Wiatr, Theresa (Ken) Walker, Barbara Kusak and, Alicia (John) McKenna and, numerous nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Dominic and Mary Wiatr, his brother, Norman Wiatr and his sister-in-law, Jean Wiatr.

Carl was raised on the east side of Detroit, attending Sweetest Heart of Mary Grade School and St. Joseph High School, where he was an All-State track and field athlete. He attended Western Michigan University prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served a total of 2 years during the Vietnam War, but fortunately, with assignments in Germany and Kansas. After his service in the Armed Forces, he returned to his job at Chrysler at Warren Truck and held various positions within materials handling and production control during his 35 year tenure.

In 1971, Carl was a groomsman in his friend, Biz's wedding, where he was paired with bridesmaid Christine Kusak and the rest is history. Carl and Christine were married at St. Christopher's parish on July 8, 1972. They had two daughters, Jennifer and Elizabeth and raised their family in Warren. Carl was a devoted father, coaching softball, volunteering with high school boosters, and attending his daughters' track/cross country meets, swim meets, and softball games. Family activities included camping, skiing, canoeing, hiking, bike riding and numerous family vacations exploring northern Michigan, Florida, the Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, California coast, and the Smokey Mountains. Carl attended church with his family every weekend and it always included a breakfast or dinner out afterwards at a favorite restaurant.

Carl continued to be a proud and supportive father as his daughters graduated from college, got married, bought their first homes and started their families. One of Carl's greatest joys in life was becoming a grandfather to his 4 grandkids. He was a huge part of their lives: babysitting, going on local adventures, hosting sleepovers, teaching them how to play golf and poker, celebrating every birthday and milestone, attending sports games, meets, concerts, and plays and always being their number one fan. Carl shared his love of Detroit sports with the grandkids, taking them to many Tigers games and teaching them how to have a love/hate relationship with the Detroit Lions. The Lions especially made Carl's dry, sarcastic sense of humor shine.

Carl and Christine started many family traditions with their daughters that they also shared with their grandchildren. Ben, Sarah, Sam and Abby fondly remember cutting down Christmas trees, singing Sto Lat for birthdays, watching the Lions on Thanksgiving, apple picking, hunting for Easter Eggs and sharing Oplatki at Wigilia, the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner.

Carl and Christine enjoyed their retirement years together in Farmington Hills, where they became an active part of the community enjoying concerts at Riley Park, attending Farmington Players Barn productions, finding local breweries and drinking coffee while wandering the Farmington Farmers Market. They also planned numerous road trips in many parts of the United States and Canada, but Northern Michigan held a special place in their hearts, especially the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes area where they flew kites and watched splendid Lake Michigan sunsets.

Throughout his life, Carl was an avid golfer, first with his buddies and then with Christine. He worked at 5 local golf courses after retirement, always earning free golf privileges. Many of Carl's vacations included golf - from his annual guys' summer trip, to golfing on almost every trip he and Christine took together. His most exciting moments on the golf course were his 2 holes-in-one, the first in Las Vegas in 2002 and the second in Manistee, MI in 2020. His last tee time was October 14, 2022. Carl certainly lived his life to the fullest.

The Wiatr family will receive guests on Friday, November 4th, from 2-8 pm, with a 4 pm Vigil Service, at the funeral home.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 5th, 11:30 am, gathering beginning at 11 am, at St. Colette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Rd., Livonia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes are suggested to CARES of Farmington Hills (a local organization that assists families in need) or the Wounded Warrior Project .