Casimir Gorecki

Casimir Gorecki, August 17, 2026. Age 93 of Westland. Born Kazimierz Gorecki on April 25, 1933, in Przywitowo, Poland, to the late Antoni and Kazimiera Gorecki, Cass was the 10th of 12 children, and the last remaining of them. Growing up before and during World War II, he worked alongside his siblings on the family pig farm and later told stories of seeing Nazi tanks drive through his village. Curious and ambitious, Cass became the only one of his family to attend university, studying statistics at what is now the Warsaw School of Economics. He did not complete his degree because, after three years of study, he followed his dream of immigrating to America. In 1961, while on a trip to Vienna, Austria, he chose not to return to Warsaw and instead applied for political asylum at the U.S. Embassy. It was an extraordinary decision during communist times and required him to remain in Vienna until the U.S. Government approved his asylum. In 1962, Cass boarded a plane for the United States and was placed in a manufacturing job in Connecticut. He quickly earned enough to repay the government for his airfare and save enough to purchase a car — an unheard-of luxury compared with the lives of many friends and family in Poland at that time. Cass felt that he had truly made it. He was filled with gratitude, and his life only got better from there. After two years, Cass moved to Michigan, where an aunt and uncle helped him get a job with Ford at the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne. He spent 31 years building Broncos and pickups and retired from Ford in 1995, later enjoying 31 years of retirement. In 1965, Cass met Stasia, and they were married on April 16, 1966, at St. Florian Church in Hamtramck. They were blessed with a 60-year marriage filled with love, travel, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and many happy times. Among the many things Cass held dear, family, friends, and his Catholic faith were the most important. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart and, along with Stasia, was the first and most important caretaker for all four of them. Cass was very proud to be an American, but he kept very close ties with family and friends in Poland. He never lost his Polish accent or the desire to visit his homeland. He returned to Poland at least 20 times, called loved ones there weekly, hosted many visitors from Poland with Stasia, and sponsored several family members who later became U.S. citizens. He also enjoyed being the airport taxi driver to Metro Airport for many family members and friends leaving for or returning from trips. Cass put his trust in the Lord and found hope and comfort in his deep Catholic faith. He was a parishioner of St. Theodore in Westland, now St. Mary Cause of Our Joy, for about 60 years. He also often attended the Polish parish of SS. Peter and Paul. Cass prayed the rosary every day. Cass will be remembered for his curiosity, generosity, pride in his home, and love for his grandchildren. He was a “numbers” guy who not only studied statistics but could always tell you the temperature and the price of gas. He was also an especially devoted lottery aficionado, a passion he enjoyed for many years. Cass and Stasia loved to travel and visited many countries in Europe, as well as places farther afield such as South America and the Middle East. He was hardworking, old-fashioned, intelligent, and always eager to learn and discuss something new, except he refused to learn how to use a computer. He loved to read, take long walks, and go for bike rides, which he enjoyed well into his late 80s. He loved food, too: in addition to his favorite staple of Polish kielbasa and anything Stasia cooked for him, he was delighted by a good steak or lobster. Cass was grateful for every aspect of his life. He often marveled at how fortunate he was to be the only one in his family to come to America, to have such a great job, and to live in such a wonderful home and neighborhood. He was thankful for his “Family of 10” and for so many great friends and neighbors. He was happy and proud of his family. In addition to his wife, Stasia, he is survived by his daughters, Liz Cirulis (Peter) and Laura Francis (Mike), as well as his beloved grandchildren, Jacob, Isa, Natalie, and Lily. His family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support of all who knew him and shared in his long and blessed life. The funeral Mass for Cass will be Friday, August 21st, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Cause of Our Joy Catholic Church, 8200 N Wayne Rd, Westland, MI 48185. He will lie in state beginning at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, or the charity of your choosing. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this web page.

Casimir Gorecki

April 25, 1933 - August 17, 2026