Joseph Francis Loeffler

Joseph Francis Loeffler, age 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on November 23, 2025.
Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on June 13, 1934, Joe was the son of Norward and Lillian Loeffler. He grew up with his brother, Michael Loeffler, born in 1936, who later married Pat Savage on January 17, 1959.
Joe graduated from St. Ambrose High School with the Class of 1952 and continued his education at the General Motors Institute, Wayne State University, and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. After completing his studies at GMI, Joe began a 41-year career in the automotive engineering profession.
He left General Motors in 1956 for opportunities at Modern Engineering and Ford Motor Company, where he also served his country for six months in the Navy through a Draft Board Program partnership with Ford. Joe returned to GM in 1959 and remained there until his retirement in 1989.
In 1957, Joe married Joyce Ann Dicaire, and together they raised three wonderful and successful children:
• Carrie McGee (Husband Alan, Son Michael) - retired from General Motors as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Research & Development
• Eric Loeffler (Wife Tanya) - retired from Ford Motor Company as a Chief Engineer
• Jana Rygiel ( Daughter Alexa) - currently an Executive Procurement Consultant, following a career that included Ford, and Vice President roles at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts.
Joyce created a loving and stable home for the family, especially during the long hours Joe devoted to the automotive industry. As their children grew older, the family's summer cottage vacations in Ludington evolved into traveling and playing golf together. In 1980, Joyce and Joe purchased a home in Florida and enjoyed many blessed years spending summers in Michigan and winters in sunny Florida.
After 56 years of marriage, Joyce passed away on June 15, 2013, following a two-year battle with leukemia. Her favorite saying, "Remember me as loving you," continued to live on with Joe and in the hearts of their family.
In 2015, Joe's life began again when he met Patricia Hunter at the Heathers Golf Club and soon after fell in love. Patty's husband, Tom, had passed away just six months after Joyce. Joe and Patty began their relationship slowly, and in 2018 they moved in together, enjoying life in Michigan and in what Joe fondly called "La-La-Land," their warm, carefree retirement world in Florida. They were married on September 29, 2023.
Joe's lifelong passion was cars-especially Corvettes. He owned several collector vehicles throughout the years. Both Joyce and Patty lovingly endured countless IndyCar and NASCAR races on TV as Joe cheered on his favorite drivers.
Throughout his life, Joe was a proud member of numerous organizations, including:
• St. Hugo of the Hills Parish
• Knights of Columbus
• Antique Car Club of Naples
• Retired Executive Club of GM
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Senior Men's Club of Birmingham, Michigan
The family will receive guests on Tuesday, December 9th beginning at 9:30 AM until the time of his Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Hugo of the Hills, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. After Mass, interment will take place in the Columbarium. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will follow at The Heathers Club, 900 Upper Scotsborough Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to "Boys Town", his favorite charity supporting Children and Families. 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010