ROBERT J. PARYS

PARYS ROBERT J. age 64, a 35-year resident of Troy, left this earth on Thursday, September 22 from home with a smile on his face and holding the hand of his beloved wife and soul mate, and with his family around him, tapping his feet and making his way to his reward and playing his trumpet to God's greater glory after a brief but courageous 5-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born February 22, 1947 in Kingston Pennsylvania and moved to Michigan with his parents in 1948. He grew up in Melvin-dale, graduating from Melvindale High School in 1965. He played trumpet, alto-nium, and French horn in the high school band; and played trumpet and flugelhorn in a 4-piece band that played at weddings and parties with his cousins Dennis, Allan, and Ray Raczkowski, and his friend Lyle Vasher for 13 years. His dream was to be an Air Force test pilot, but due to vision problems he opted for adventure of a different kind, teaching high school science. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Wayne State University in 1971, followed by two master's degrees in science and science education. August 6, 1971, the day he married his sweetheart Connie, was the happiest day of his life, and this past August 6 they celebrated their 40th anniversary, surrounded by family and friends. He taught for 34 years, 31 of them at Lahser HS in Bloomfield Hills, teaching chemistry, math, and physics, showing his students that "Physics is Phun." He loved the sciences, especially space and astronomy, and wanted to be the first teacher in space; and everyone who knew him knows that he was a Star Trek fan of the first order. He also collected glass and ceramic insulators, and added to his childhood Lionel train set over the years. Thanks to his wife's influence, he became a loyal U of M fan. Although he never served in the military, he had a great love for his country and was always looking for patriotic items that reflected his "red, white and blue heart." Bob (spelled backwards it's still Bob) leaves behind his wife and the love of his life Connie (Belvees), his loving daughter Kristen, son Christophere, and granddaughter Adriane Thompson, his father-in-law Carl Belvees, his brother Chester (Pamela), niece Nicole Mechanco (Jeremy), grandniece Meadow and grandnephew Xander; nephew Shawn Parys (Lelynn), grandniece Zoey and grandnephew Logan; brother Frederick Barrett (Renell) and nephews Michael, Matthew, Marcus (Wendy) and grand-nephews Scott and Brett; niece Melissa Ledbetter (Joseph) and grandnephews Cameron and Carter. He was predec-eased by his father and mother Joseph and Helen (Raczkowski) Parys, sister Marcella Parys, mother-in-law Mary (Crosetti) Belvees and brother-in-law David Belvees. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and former students who will miss him dearly. Visitation Thursday September 29 3-8 (2 p.m. family) Friday September 30 2-8; scripture service 7 p.m. Friday In state Saturday October 1 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. Mass at St. Ephrem Catholic Church (38900 Dodge Park at 17 Mile, Sterling Hts). Interment St. Hedwig Cemetery, Ford Rd. at Telegraph, Dearborn Hts. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Assistance in Health Care, or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.