John "The Polish Prince" Kotarski

KOTARSKI, John "The Polish Prince" - Of Flint and Pinnellas, Florida, age 85, died after a brief illness on Friday, May 19, 2006 at Beaumont Hospital, with his beloved granddaughter, Rachel at his side. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11AM Friday, June 2, 2006 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1227 East Bristol Road in Burton, Father Reverend Joseph S. Kim and Father Jeffrey Robideau con-celebrating. Visitation 4-8PM Thursday, June 1, 2006 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. A Rosary will be prayed at 7PM Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. Kotarski will be at the church from 10AM Friday until the time of the Mass. John was born in Valley Township, North Dakota on July 29, 1920. He served as an Army sergeant during World War II, he married Agnes Lichnovsky in Texas and settled down to live an honorable life as a business man in Flint. He built and sold, with his brother Ed, more than 20 houses in the Flint area and built and leased 7 commercial buildings. He also owned a salvage yard, G & G Auto Parts, on North Dort Highway in Flint, which he operated with his brother Stan for over 50 years. He was known for his generosity in bartering for auto parts with farmers and shopkeepers. John was a charter member of Holy Redeemer Catholic parish, assisting in the construction of the present day church building. He with other parish members formed the original Boy Scout Troop at that parish. In midlife, he contributed to the church's annual festival by inventing games of chance and by donating cars from his salvage yard, which locals had the pleasure of demolishing for the price of a ticket. In his spare time, he learned to fly a plane, got his pilot's license, and, at the age of 70, taught himself Morse code so he could converse with friends around the world on short-wave radio. He got his first computer at the age 80 and enjoyed experimenting with the new technology. John delighted his family and friends, was an avid gardener, cook and fisherman, and loved adventures of all sorts. He maintained homes in Pinellas Park, Florida and Burton, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife, of 63 years, Agnes; children, John Kotarski and wife Theresa Tinkle, Michael, Gail and husband Tom Rose, Mark and wife Crystal; grandchildren, Rachel and husband Ralph Keller, Chelsea Rose and Tom Rose, Mark, Matthew and John Kotarski; one great-grandchild, Gage Thomas Keller; sister, Sally Williams. Many beloved nieces and nephews.