Joseph Richard Turek

Joseph Richard Turek, 98, of Grosse Ile, Michigan, a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, surrounded by loving family. Joe’s life was a testament to love, laughter, lifelong learning and dedication to God, family, country, friends and community.

Joe was born on December 31, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Rose Silhavy Turek and Joseph Turek. He was a young child during our country’s Great Depression and perhaps this molded him into the hard working and dedicated person he became.

He graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago in 1945, then enrolled at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) to study Civil Engineering using money he had saved from working many jobs after school and in the summers. Joe completed one year before being drafted into military service, so he decided to join the Marine Corps in 1946. He was assigned to the signal battalion school at Camp Lejune, and then later, Camp Pendleton. He and many others were honorably discharged in 1947 since there was no current war.

Returning to IIT, Joe graduated in 1951with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. At this time, he started dating Dolores Moravec and they were married on September 26, 1953, after Joe took instruction in the Catholic faith. He worked as a civil engineer around the Chicago area until 1964 when he moved his growing family to Grosse Ile, Michigan to take a position as a project manager for McLouth Steel in Trenton, Michigan. In 1970 he was appointed Chief Engineer, then Director of Engineering at McLouth Steel where he worked until 1991when he retired. Over the years Joe was a member of many iron and steel industry professional societies. In 1979-1980 he was on the National Board of Directors of the American Iron and Steel Engineers.

Joe loved attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Grosse Ile and rarely missed Mass. He served for many years as a lector, usher, and what was a highlight for him - being on the building committee for the new church that was being built that still stands.

Serving the community after retirement, Joe’s activities included serving terms on Grosse Ile’s Drainage Task Force and the Community Recreation Commission. He also served on the Hawthorn Place Condominium Association Board on Grosse Ile for a long time, eventually serving as President starting in 2007 and continuing for almost 15 years. He was always a phone call away to help.

Enjoying watching as well as playing sports, Joe played tennis and golf into his 80s. It was a highlight for him to play in the Downriver Senior Olympics for many years.

Joe was the ultimate family man. He was dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From going to many family outings and vacations, weddings, graduations, birthday parties, sporting events, and more, if Joe could be there, he was. Our family was fortunate that he and Dolores started doing intensive genealogy study on both their family trees. It is a lasting gift.

Wherever they lived, Joe and Dolores surrounded themselves with many wonderful and fun friends, many of whom have passed. Even after Dolores’s passing in 2015, Joe continued to be engaged with his church, family, friends and community staying active with many activities. He eventually enjoyed companionship with Jeanette Kozel who kept him active and young at heart. Our family is grateful to Ron and Virginia Konczalski for being such wonderful friends and for bringing Joe the Eucharist faithfully every week after he entered assisted living in 2025.

Joe is survived by his children Thomas (Colleen) Turek, Mary Jo (Thomas) Gallagher, Timothy (Carol) Turek, Anne (Thomas) Graves and Stacey McKay. Also survived by 15 grandchildren: Lauren Garrett, Aaron (Heather) Turek, Joseph (Emily) Turek; Brian (Kelly) Gallagher, Robert (Sarah) Gallagher, Katherine (Will) Mishler; Robert (Anna) Cardoze, Alexis (Matthew) Klypka; Madalyn (Cameron) Williams, Kevin (Morgan) Turek; Thomas (fiancée Alicia) Graves, Sarah (Mitko) Karshovski; Caroline McKay, Katherine McKay, and Anna McKay. Surviving great-grandchildren are Abigail Garrett, Connor Garrett and Robert Garrett; Sophia Turek, Delilah Turek and August Turek; Isaac Turek; Audrey Gallagher and Spencer Gallagher; Gabrielle Gallagher, Lillian Gallagher, Brock Gallagher, and Finley Gallagher; Wayne Mishler and Joseph Mishler; Campbell Cardoze and Roger Cardoze. He is also survived by his nephew Lawrence (Marie) Voss and niece Laura (Michael) Allen.

Joe was predeceased by his parents Rose and Joseph; his loving wife of over 61 years, Dolores (2015); his daughter Therese Cardoze (2017); his brother Robert (2006); his sister-in-law Lorraine Voss and brother-in-law Fred Voss.

Visitation: Friday, August 7, 2026 from 4:00 PM -7:00 PM at Martenson Funeral Home - Trenton, 3200 West Rd, Trenton, MI 48183

Funeral Mass: Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 21599 Parke Ln, Grosse Ile, MI 48138; Visitation from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM; Funeral Mass starting at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church (address above) or to a charity of your choice in memory of Joseph.