Gary Friske

Gary Friske was born August 12, 1946 to Ed and Shirley Friske. He spent his early years moving between New York City, Brazil, and New Jersey before his family settled in Redford, MI. He was a brother to six siblings.
Gary graduated from Thurston High School in Redford in 1964 and subsequently attended Schoolcraft College for two years, where he met his future bride, Judy. He went on to earn both his Bachelor of Science in Speech and Broadcasting (1969) and his Master of Arts in Public Address/Mass Communications (1971) from Eastern Michigan University. Utilizing both his educational training and his innate, magnetic interpersonal skills, he built a long career in personnel staffing and sales, including 20+ years in the wireless industry. He then found his true calling and passion as an Adjunct Professor of Communications at Macomb Community College from 2005-2021, where he became a beloved professor and mentor to his students. Additionally, Gary employed his expertise in communications and as an all-around people person by becoming a non-denominational minister, performing countless weddings, baptisms, and celebrations of life in the Detroit area and beyond from 2004-2019 (including his daughters' weddings).
In his personal life, Gary was a devoted husband and father who was the biggest cheerleader and fiercest defender of his family. He was a loyal friend, a fabulous fishing buddy, and a notorious raconteur who loved to regale his family and friends with outrageous tales and jokes. Gary also loved his role as videographer/photographer of any event he attended and especially loved documenting his grandchildren's milestones and hijinks. He was a born leader and served on many community organizations, including: President of CEBIA on Middle Straits Lake, Coach for Inter-Lakes Girls Softball League, and President of the Saturday Night Crawlers bowling league at Wonderland Lanes. In the 1960s, he was the guitarist for the rock band The Royal Coachmen, often playing alongside Motown acts, one of his proudest achievements.
His spirit will be kept alive and celebrated by his family and friends, especially his wife of 52 years: Judy, his two daughters: Lauren and Melanie (and their spouses: Jon and Josh), and his two grandchildren: Olive and Julian.
The eternal flame of love burns brightly in our hearts.
Services to be announced at a later date.