"Sunny", 87, businessman and philanthropist, of Farmington and Crystal Falls, Michigan, died July 11, 2013, at his northern Michigan residence. For the previous eight months, he enjoyed a safe and comfortable existence at Victorian Heights Assisted Living Residence in Crystal Falls. Sunny often said he felt like a king while living at Victorian Heights. Walter was born March 16, 1926, in Bark River, Michigan, the son of Walter and Mary (Anesi) Sundquist. After proudly serving his country in the Navy during WWII, Walter attended Wayne State University's School of Embalming and Funeral Service, graduating in 1950. Upon earning his degree, he was employed by various funeral homes in Detroit and Redford. He began his renowned business career in Farmington after purchasing the Heeney Funeral Home on May 1, 1964. Following the death of Spencer Heeney in 1963, Mrs. Heeney, impressed with Walter's integrity, hard work ethic, and a bit of charm, sold him Michigan's oldest, family-owned funeral service provider, established in 1850. Walter worked hard for decades, building a successful, ethical, and sincerely compassionate business that thrives even more today. In fact, the firm's business motto, "Formal enough to be respectful, relaxed enough to be comfortable", was actually captured from a customer acknowledgement thanking Walter for exceptional service. Walter always had extensive community service involvement and a strong sense of philanthropy. A small sample of his involvements include life membership in Farmington's American Legion Post #346, Farmington Elks, Knights of Columbus, Farmington Beautification Commission, Keep Michigan Beautiful, and a proud member of his churches, Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington, Michigan, and Guardian Angels in Crystal Falls, Michigan. In April of 2009, Walter and a friend, Bob Flood, contributed the funds to purchase a memorial sign for the Eddie Chambers gym at Forest Park High School in Crystal Falls, memorializing one of The Upper Peninsula's Sports Hall of Fame basketball coaches for whom Walter had the privilege of playing. One of his proudest achievements, however, was being awarded Farmington's Citizen of the Year, the very award his mother, Mary, earned in her native Crystal Falls decades earlier. In 1997, Farmington worked with community members to develop ideas to help make Farmington a better place to live and a common theme was the need for a centralized Pavilion-meeting place that could house a farmers market and other events. The Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion was an idea born from this visioning process. While the city approved the concept, funding the project required a private campaign. Walter stepped forward making a donation to ensure the success of the pavilion, which has been named in his honor. This long-anticipated community project had its grand opening October of 2005. Over the course of his career, Walter had the privilege of providing funeral and cremation services to families from Farmington and its surrounding communities. During his lifetime, he was proud to be a father, grandfather, friend and mentor. His successor, Mark Ziegler, is proud to continue the long-established and respected business presence in the community. It is certain that Mark and his colleagues have big shoes to fill, but Walter would be proud of the ongoing success of the enterprise for which he worked so tirelessly. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Margo Lynn Sundquist of Schaumburg, Illinois; loving grandchildren, Taylor Walter, Jessica Rose and Matthew Michael; one sister; two brothers, and many loving family members from the Sundquist side of his family. Additionally, as the patriarch of the Anesi family, he is survived by first cousins, Shirlee Stacy, Dwaine Brooks, LaDena Schnapper, Joan Greshik, Robert Battye, Richard Battye, Terry Dobrzenski, Timmy Dobrzenski and Jerry Dobrzenski. A guardian angel came into Sunny's life at the time of his greatest personal need, the winter of 2011. Robert Sliva was that Angel. Angels require help when the need is so greatin steps Michael Rexing, Robert's wife, Sue, and so many others. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes are suggested to the Saint Vincent De Paul Society Diocesan Council of Marquette - Crystal Falls, 136 Superior Avenue, Crystal Falls, MI, 49920, (906) 875-4251. Mr. Sundquist's family will receive guests at the funeral home on Monday, July 15th, from 3-8 pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, July 16th, at 11:00 am (in state at 10:30 am) at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23615 Power Rd., Farmington. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls, will take place Saturday, July 20th, following additional services in northern Michigan. Thank you for keeping Walter's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.