Joseph Francis Susinko

Joseph Francis Susinko, age 83, of Dade City, Florida passed away on August 1, 2026, surrounded by family in Alden, MI. He was born on November 30, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio to Joseph and Emily Susinka. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and wife Sharyn Susinko (2007). Joe graduated from Boardman HS (Youngstown, OH), then from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in teaching music. Soon after, he graduated from MSU with a master’s degree in music. He was a drum major in the high school and college marching band and played the bassoon in the concert band and orchestra. In 1967, Joe and Sharyn were married in Detroit. They lived with their son Chris in the suburbs of Detroit and later in Livonia. Joe enjoyed playing his Bassoon and Contra-Bassoon with Sharyn in the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Traverse Symphony Orchestra and several other venues. During Joe's career he enjoyed being a band teacher in Redford Elementary School and an industrial bearing salesman in Livonia. In 1986, Sharyn's father passed away and willed his beloved property in Alden, MI to Joe and Sharyn. They moved out of the city with Chris to enjoy the country life in northern Michigan. During his tenure as a northerner, Joe worked as a delivery driver and salesman for beer and Faygo pop, a correction's officer for Kalkaska County Sheriff, an over the road truck driver, and church worker. In his spare time, he enjoyed being a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and handyman teaching his son everything he could. Joe lived in Alden, MI from 1986 until he decided to enjoy his retirement free of snow in 2013. The first winter in Florida he stayed at Grove Ridge Estates and started looking for a second home. Soon he met Marilyn Hoffman (Grove Ridge Estates), and they were married in Fall 2014. Joe found his second home, moved to Florida and lived in Grove Ridge with Marilyn. In 2018, Joe and Marilyn moved across the street to Southfork Community. Every spring they looked forward to traveling back to Clio and Alden with their truck and 5th wheel camper to visit family. They were happily married until his death. Joe is survived by wife Marilyn, his brother Edward Susinko (Joann), sister Mary Farina (Jim), son Chris, grandson Kyle (Lorie), granddaughters Emily Plamondon (Austin) and Violet, great-granddaughters Alaina, Mikayla and Kara, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, mentor, and friend. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 11th from 2pm to 5pm, with a Funeral Service at 5pm at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska, MI. Burial will be on Friday, August 14th at 10am at Maple Grove Cemetery on Wood Rd in Kalkaska. Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home; our family serving yours.

Joseph Francis Susinko

November 30, 1942 - August 1, 2026