Joseph Kaye

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Joseph Walter Kaye on December 4, 2023 at the age of 76. Better known by Joe, he was a cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend of many.

Joe was born in Hamtramck, Michigan on January 24, 1947, to Polish immigrants, Walter and Helen Kwiatkoski, who instilled in him the virtues of hard work and dedication from an early age. Throughout his life, Joe remained deeply connected to his Polish roots yet forged his own path as an American, learning English in the 1st grade, changing his last name from Kwiatkoski to Kaye, then going on to become the first member of his family to attend college. He proudly graduated from Lawrence Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. Joe not only excelled academically, but he also formed lifelong bonds as an active member of the Phi Kappa Upsilon fraternity.

Joe met the love of his life, Sandra Makoski, on a blind date at a Polish festival. Their connection grew as they quickly found out how much they enjoyed each other's company and how much they had in common, becoming best friends and soulmates. Only 6 months later, their love for each other led them down the aisle and to a lifetime of love and happiness for over 50 years. Joe's heart grew even bigger with the births of his cherished children, Jennifer and Joseph Jr., who were the pride and joy of his life. A supportive father, Joe's voice was unmistakable at his children's events, where he was invariably the loudest, cheering them on with boundless enthusiasm and unwavering support. As the ultimate family man, Joe embraced every moment with his family, from the simple joys of daily life to grand adventures. His fun spirit and love of travel led to many memorable family road trips, often reminiscent of the escapades of Clark Griswold in the classic Family Vacation movies. These journeys were filled with laughter, excitement, and the occasional wrong turn, but most certainly always ended with stories to tell and memories to capture.

For nearly 40 years, Joe was a proud resident of Rochester Hills, Michigan, where he and his wife built their dream house, raised their family and established a wonderful community of friends. Joe was a man of many interests, with a particular love for cars. His enthusiasm for automobiles wasn't just a hobby, but a way of life. His knowledge and passion for cars led to a successful career in selling cars and running car dealerships in the metro Detroit and Toledo areas. Later in his career, he fulfilled another lifelong dream when he became an owner of a Dodge dealership in Ohio. Car sales was a perfect job for Joe as it provided him a way of connecting with others through his passion for cars.

Once retired, Joe went on to purchase his very own, bright yellow, 2017 Corvette, which he was incredibly proud of and enjoyed taking Sunday drives no matter the day of the week. He made the most of his retirement by spending a portion of the year in Bonita Springs, Florida with his wife where he, of course, created another network of friends. He enjoyed getting together with them no matter the activity, whether it was telling stories or playing cards over a drink or a cigar, bicycling or soaking up the sun.

Joe's zest for life was infectious. A man with an innate ability to connect with others, Joe never saw strangers, only friends he had yet to meet. He welcomed others in with an open heart through his enthusiasm for learning about others' life stories and experiences, leading to lasting friendships. His legacy is one of an open heart, genuine interest in people and a curiosity for life that knew no bounds.

The Kaye family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Joe's life was a testament to the joy of family, the camaraderie of friends and the thrill of a perfectly revved engine. Joe's legacy of kindness, laughter and love for life will continue to inspire us all.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Kaye, daughter Jennifer (Wil), son Joseph Jr. (Melissa), sister Jean (Greg) and grandchildren Arabella and Aliana, who will forever miss his guidance and warmth. His absence will also be felt deeply by his extended family, close friends and all who knew and loved him.

Details are below for memorial services to honor Joe's memory, where we invite family and friends to gather, reminisce and celebrate a life well-lived.

Memorial Mass:

January 19, 2024

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. Irenaeus Church

771 Old Perch Road

Rochester Hills, MI 48309

Celebration of Life:

January 20, 2024

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Phi Kappa Upsilon

21000 W. Nine Mile Rd

Southfield, MI 48075