Cptn. Leo Robert Marchlewski Jr.

Cptn. Leo Robert Marchlewski Jr. Bay City, Michigan Leo Marchlewski, 68, of Bay City, died Dec. 31, 2015. He was born on January 17, 1947, in Alpena, Mich.; the youngest son of Anne and Leo R. Marchlewski Sr. Leo grew up and was educated in Alpena. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1965. Following his military service, in 1968, Leo married his wife of 47 years, Carol Motley, on May 25, 1968 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bay City. She survives him. Also surviving are daughters Kristi Lambert (Kelly) and Kathie Marchlewski (Richard Fosgitt), and seven grandchildren; Allison, Rachel, Brendan and Sean Lambert, George Bachleda (and his father, Paul Bachleda) and Frances and Leo Fosgitt. Leo came to work for General Motors Gray Iron in 1968. He retired in 2004 as stationary engineer from Saginaw Metal Casting Operations after 36 years of service. He graduated with an Associates Degree from Delta College in 1973. In 1996, Leo earned his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license. He spent much of his free time and his retirement on the waters of the Lake Huron, fishing with his wife, family and friends, and chartering salmon fishing trips under his business Adventure Charters. He was a member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association since 1998 and remained an active member until his death. Leo had a love for boating that went beyond fishing. He was a member of the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association and Saginaw Bay Community Boat Builders for more than a decade. Along with fellow boat builders, he crafted more than 20 wooden boats, which were auctioned to benefit Bay Sail. In recent winters, he crafted a wooden boat to gift to his children and grandchildren. After becoming ill in the summer of 2015, he decided to ensure he would have time on the water with his family, and bought a pontoon boat large enough to host his wife, his girls, and his grandchildren. Leo was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church and School for more than 35 years. He also spent much of his retirement volunteering. He drove for the Bay County Veteran's Association, taking veterans to the VA hospital in Saginaw. Leo served as a Deputy on the Bay County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol for two years until the summer of 2014. Leo was predeceased by his parents. Along with his wife and children, he is survived by his siblings; Phyllis Hoeth of Lacrosse, Wis., John (Pat) Marchlewski, Mary J. Thompson, Larry Marchlewski Sr., all of Alpena, Mich., and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Funeral and Committal Services will take place Wednesday, January 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Rev. Daniel C. Meckes and Rev. Matthew A. Hall with private interment in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Tuesday to receive family and friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Leo will lie in state at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to Faith Lutheran Church or the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association.