Guy Fred Gizzi

September 6, 1922 - June 12, 2012 GIZZI, Guy Fred Age 89 Of Kalamazoo Passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Guy, better known as "Al" by friends was the son of Antonio and Beatrix (Campolini) Gizzi and was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 6, 1922. He was one of seven (7) children, having four (4) brothers and two (2) sisters. While attending Pershing High School in Detroit, he met Winifred "Freddie" L. Leech. They fell in love and were married in Bowling Green, Ohio on August 3, 1940. Al and Freddie had four children, all boys. Pat was born on May 14, 1942, Terry born April 16, 1943, David born on October 12, 1949, and Dean, born August 1, 1963. Al and Freddie lived and raised the family around the Detroit area until moving to the Kalamazoo area in 1985. While growing up Al played baseball, and loved and followed the game until he passed away. He was very close to playing in the major leagues but his dream ended with the outbreak of World War II. He was actually signed by the St. Louis Browns and was to report to spring training but enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He always remained a huge Detroit Tigers fan, enjoying the good and bad until his final days. Al very much enjoyed the game of golf scoring five hole in ones. He remained an avid golfer until his death, playing three to four times a week. He had some very close golfing buddies around Kalamazoo who were also dear friends. He entered the Marine Corp on May 16, 1944, and served until his Honorable Discharge on February 14, 1946. He participated in action against the enemy at Okinawa and Ryukyu Island in 1945. He also participated in the occupation of China from October 1945 until January 1946. After his discharge from the Marine Corp at the end of the war, Al went to work for the Ford Motor Company parking new cars as they came off the assembly line. He eventually worked his way up to a supervisory position in the Stamping Division until he retired. Later he and Freddie moved to the Kalamazoo area to be close to their children and grand-children. Al very much enjoyed being near family members and especially the grand-children, great-grand-children, and great-great-grand children.