Shamel Thomas Rushwin Jr.

Shamel Thomas Rushwin II, loving husband, brother, father and grandfather passed away July 12th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Shamel was born December 3rd, 1947, in Youngstown Ohio to the late Shamel Thomas Rushwin and Sadie Marie Johns Rushwin. Born the middle of three children, Shamel grew up surrounded not only by the love and guidance of his parents and sister's Marilyn and Rosemary but was blessed with a very close-knit family of 9 aunts and uncles who instilled in Shamel the importance of family, faith, a strong work ethic and pride in his Lebanese heritage.
As a child, Shamel displayed a tenacious personality and was known to stay with any and every task until the desired result was achieved. He learned many life lessons early on as a paper boy at age ten, teaching him that getting the day started early combined with hard work and attention to detail would bring success. Shamel attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, enlisted and served in the United States Army, earned a Bachelor's Degree from Youngstown State University and was a graduate of The University of Michigan's Executive Development Program.
Simply put, Shamel was a true "Car Guy" who lived his American Dream. He began his career in 1965 at General Motors Corporation handling assembly assignments at the Lordstown assembly plant. In 1977, he joined Volkswagen of North America where he held multiple staff and engineering positions. In 1983, Shamel joined Chrysler Corporation where he held a variety of plant and staff positions leading to multiple executive positions including Vice President of International Manufacturing and Minivan Assembly Operations for DaimlerChrysler Corporation where he oversaw DaimlerChrysler minivan plants in the United States and Canada and was responsible for international assembly and stamping operations in Europe. He joined Ford Motor Company in 1999 as Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing and was appointed Senior Vice President of Vehicle Operations in 2000 where he was responsible for managing over 60 stamping and vehicle assembly plants worldwide. In 2001 he was the proud recipient of the SAE/ESD Foundation Manufacturing Leadership Award which recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the development of the automobile, truck or automotive industry and who have made significant contributions outside the automotive industry exemplified through community education and philanthropic activities. Following his retirement from Ford Motor Company he spent his time as visiting professor at The University of Michigan, Wayne State University and M.I.T. as well a Managing Partner for the Shipston Group Limited international investment firm. Most importantly he enjoyed spending his time as a grandfather. This chapter of life brought him great happiness as his most cherished blessings were his grandchildren.
Nothing compared to the immense pride and joy Shamel had for his family and his beloved wife Sherry Lynn. Shamel and Sherry met in Youngstown, Ohio in 1964, were married in 1969, started a family and for 54 years they were the loving and supportive center of each other's universe and shared an amazing life together. Shamel was the proud father of five children and blessed with seven grandchildren. He was always there for his family, no matter the time or distance. Shamel had a great passion for anything and everything automotive, especially fast and historic cars. In his spare time if he wasn't tinkering with something in the garage, he was most likely taking a cruise in the countryside or off to a car show. He loved traveling, family dinners and vacations, attending his grandchildren's sports and school activities, and relaxing with Sherry in Florida.
A truly faithful Catholic, the church was a vital part of his life. Shamel was a long-standing member of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio and St Hugo of the Hills Catholic church in Bloomfield Hills where he took great pride in his role as a Eucharistic minister. Every day started with the Rosary, and Sunday always involved getting dressed up for church and enjoying the day as a family. As he always said, "A family that prays together, stays together!".
Shamel was incredibly generous in every possible way and was involved in many charitable organizations including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and had a life-changing positive impact on generations of friends and family. He was many things to many people. Always kind and engaging and ready to help when the need arose. He had a gift for making everyone around him feel important and a knack for making any occasion together feel special and exciting. He was never too busy to take you on the thrill-ride of your life in one of his collector's cars and was an exceptional handyman and moral compass who was never too tired to help fix any problem. He was able to recognize everyone's value and make them feel important. He was a gifted and effective leader and knew when to be tough, when to be funny and when to be kind and gentle. A captivating storyteller, a teacher of life lessons, a stylish and charismatic personality and mentor, a lifelong friend, a caring son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin, an adoring grandfather and a loving father and husband.
Beloved husband of Sherry, loving father of Christopher (Tracy) of Frisco, TX, Michael (Teresa) of Novi, Mi, Shamel (Monique) of Commerce Twp., MI, Jamille (Deceased) and Ashley Rushwin. Proud grandfather of Grace, Abbie, Christopher, Bella, Thomas, Shamel and Devin Rushwin. Dear brother of Marilyn (Jim) Bellino and Rosemary Totterdale.
Family will receive friends Thursday, July 20, 2023, 1-7pm with Rosary 6:30pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel) 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile) Royal Oak. Funeral Mass Friday, July 21, 2023, 10am at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Visitation at church begins 9:30am.
In lieu of flowers family suggests tributes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.