Raymond Modrzynski

Captain Raymond Walter “Butch” Modrzynski was born May 15, 1926, in Rogers City to Stanley and Frances (Romel) Modrzynski.

He passed away at Bowman Place in Three Rivers on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the age of 96.

Butch was married to Caroline Hoeft on January 6, 1950 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Rogers City. They had 8 children, 14 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Captain Butch made a career on the Great Lakes fleet employed by US Steel Corporation. He retired in 1982 after 38 years. He and Caroline then spent a number of years traveling across the United States. They moved to Three Rivers in 2017.

Butch is survived by his wife of 72 years, Caroline; children, Bill (Annielaurie) of Lawrence, Kansas, Paul (Donna) of Gaylord, Jean (Felix) Skalski of Three Rivers, Mary Jo (Kenton) Vaughn of Gulliver, and Tomas (Jessica) of Three Rivers; daughters-in-law, Dona Modrzynski of San Antonio, Texas, and Debra Modrzynski of Indian River; as well as 2 brothers, Clem of Alpena and James (Linda) of Manistee; and 5 sisters, Genevieve (Frank) Gierak of Washington, Patricia (Bernard) Malkowski, and Joyce (Ronald) Klee both of Houghton Lake, Gladys (Ron) Kuznicki of Lupton, and Charlene (Patrick) Leen of Nokomis, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers; Stanley, Jr. and Henry; 2 sisters; baby Esther and Frances/Fano; 2 adult sons; David (Dona) and James (Debra), as well as an infant son; John.

Inurnment will take place at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rogers City on Thursday, September 15th at 2 p.m. with VFW Post 607 according military honors, followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Lighthouse Restaurant.