Victor Walter Macks

Victor Walter Macks Jr. 87, of St. Clair Shores, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022. Vic was born on February 1, 1935, in Detroit to Victor Walter Macks Sr. and Cecilia Annette (Skibinski) Macks. Vic graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Detroit, and attended the University of Detroit where he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy. He then went on to receive a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University.

Vic met the love of his life M. Gail Bowler at the University of Detroit Sodality. They were married July 22, 1961, at St. Scholastica Church in Detroit. Vic and Gail began their 61-year adventure together in Bridgend, Wales where Vic worked at Glamorgan County Children's Department as a Social Worker. Vic and Gail were excited when they became expectant parents. The time in Wales was cut short when Vic's mother Cecilia became terminally ill, and they returned to Michigan. The couple welcomed their first child, Brian Michael Macks, on July 9, 1962.

Vic began work at the Veterans Administration as a social worker. The couple was very excited when their second child, Eric Victor Macks, was born on September 26, 1963. Vic worked at the Battle Creek VA, and the Allen Park VA. Most of the rest of Vic's career was spent at Metropolitan Hospital in Detroit, part of the Metro Medical Group. Eventually, the Metro Medical Group become part of the Henry Ford Health System. Vic was part of the Henry Ford Medical Group with medical staff privileges. Vic was blessed with wonderful coworkers who volunteered to take a pay cut in order to keep him from being laid off! Through his many years of service, Vic provided support, encouragement and a calming presence to his patients in the office, as well as providing on call services during emergency room crisis situations.

Vic and Gail enjoyed a very active life together. An annual summer vacation for 57 years was a visit to Chimney Corners on Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan. They enjoyed attending Detroit Symphony Orchestra coffee concerts, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, and traveling to many national parks and other beautiful vacation spots around the US. They were able to maintain friendships with family and friends around the country on these trips. Vic and Gail shared a joy of spending time with friends. They found great comfort and support participating in the church community of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Vic and Gail delighted in attending their grandchildren's school sports and music events.

Vic was an avid boater and found the greatest joy in sailing. He took great pride in teaching sailing, and maintaining the sailboat fleet within the American Youth Hostels and the American Sailing Institute programs. Vic was passionate about ensuring that the club sailboats were well-maintained and always ready for use. Vic's knowledge and expertise lead to safe and enjoyable boating for all.

Throughout his life, Vic was deeply devoted to human rights, social justice and equality. He spent countless hours advocating for grass root involvement and for improving government policies. As a result of his extensive reading and research of facts and history, Vic was very active in opposition to war, nuclear power, and nuclear weapons. Vic regularly marched, rallied, and lobbied in-person, or by telephone, letters, and emails in order to make the world a better place.

Vic was the loving husband of wife M. Gail (Bowler) Macks. Vic was the devoted father of Brian (Janette Fleck Macks) Macks of Shelby Township and Eric (Suzette La Vigne) Macks of Ann Arbor. He is survived by 5 grandchildren: Justin, Trevor, Kaylin, Jacob and Evan, and his siblings: Gerald, Ralph (Mary Ann) and Gary Macks. He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Cecilia Macks, and his siblings Judith Reevesman, Harold Macks, Eileen Alessi, and Kathleen Tresick.

Funeral mass is on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 11am at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 23401 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores. Mass will be broadcast live, and will be accessible by first opening the parish website at www.stlucychurch.com and then clicking on the picture of Vic Macks appearing on the website on the day of the Mass. The mass will also be recored and archived on the St. Lucy Youtube channel.

A catered lunch will follow at Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Rd, St Clair Shores.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vic's honor to Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St., Detroit MI 48216. And to Oakridge Environmental Peace Alliance, PO Box 5743, Oak Ridge TN 37831, www.orepa.org