Cass Pawlowski | May 8, 1950 – March 4, 2023

Age 72 of Southgate.

Beloved husband of Phyllis Pawlowski.  Loving father of Andy (DeAnn) Pawlowski, Chris (Angela) Pawlowski and Maria Pawlowski.  Dearest grandfather of Haley, Morgan, Ethan and Evan.  Dear brother of Caroline Sabuda, Angeline Szeles, Margaret Strawsine and the late Alice Barnyak.  Also survived by many other relatives.

Family Tribute ~

Cass S. Pawlowski of Southgate lived life to its fullest in his 72 years. An educator, church organist, musician, husband, father, grandfather, brother and best friend there ever was – that was Cass.  To know him was to love him.  God called Cass home on March 4, 2023. He was surrounded by the love of his family.

A 1968 graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School, Cass married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis, on May 7, 1971, a day before his 21^st birthday. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 2021.

Cass began playing organ at what is now Our Lady of Scapular Church while he was still in high school. He continued to share his love of God and music from 1972 to 2013 as the music director at St. Joseph Catholic Church, now St. Vincent Pallotti. Cass initiated a choir and led this music ministry at the church, bringing prayer through song. Music was his lifelong passion, as a keyboardist with his band, Music Express, playing at area churches and, in later years, entertaining at local nursing homes.

When not playing music, Cass and his wife enjoyed going to church festivals and outdoor concerts. They were Detroit Symphony Orchestra season ticket holders. Cass’ music lives on via his YouTube https://youtube.com/@cassp50 Channel where he often serenaded friends and family.

Cass earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University and taught English at Shumate Junior High in the Gibraltar School District from 1972 to 2005. Students recognized “Mr. Pawlowski” long after he retired. With the start of each school year, he reveled in planning teacher reunions and celebrating the students and profession that were part of his life for 33 years.

In retirement, Cass and Phyllis wintered in Florida, making new and lasting friends and also reconnecting with high school classmates. They also loved northern Michigan, traveling to the Traverse City and Petoskey areas annually to revisit places they enjoyed time and time again. The couple celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise, and Cass’ retirement as a church organist,  with a Mediterranean cruise with fellow parishioners.

While he loved travel and music, above all else, Cass loved his family. While his children were growing up, he frequented ice arenas where they skated, attended plays where his son did lighting and at band competitions where his daughter competed. As a grandfather, he was often on the sidelines at soccer, softball, hockey and baseball games, cheering on his four grandchildren.

Honor Cass by living each day as a gift.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Irish Pallotine Fathers.