Norman Stanley Filipiak, a resident of Michigan City, Indiana, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2020.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, MaryAnn Filipiak; and his sisters, Julie Stone, Janice MacCaughan, Romaine Grundy; and his brother Harold Filipiak.
The son of Stanley and Cecilia Filipiak, he was born in Alpena, Michigan, February 19, 1942. With the untimely passing of his father at age 6, he and his siblings helped out wherever they could. Albert Harris married Cecilia when Norm was 8 and took care of this family of eight. Norman, as a boy, worked as a newspaper carrier. Subsequently, at age 15 in 1957, he worked for J. C. Penney’s in Alpena, which began a long career in the retail business. He married MaryAnn Corriveau on December 28, 1963.
After 10 years with J. C. Penney’s, Norman joined Sears and Roebuck Company in 1967 as a department manager, eventually becoming Operations Manager after moving from Alpena to Jackson, MI to Freeport, IL to Normal, IL and finally to Michigan City, IN. Norman left Sears in 1982. He purchased a Montgomery Ward’s Catalog Store in Laporte, IN. Shortly thereafter, he bought “Quality Bakery” in Karwick Plaza in Michigan City and opened a satellite store in New Buffalo, MI. In 1990, after many successful years ‘making the donuts’, he sold the bakery and built “Flip’s Cascade Mountain Adventure Park” until his retirement in 2007.
He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed travel and golf. He really enjoyed watching his Detroit Red Wings or Detroit Lions or Detroit Tigers play professional sports. His passion was card games, especially Bridge and Poker. You could always find him playing bridge on-line and well as having friends come over for Poker night or Bridge club. Norm was also very active in the Catholic Church, volunteering whenever he could.
He took great pride in the accomplishments of his family members, especially his grandchildren.
Norm will always be remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues as a kind and gentle man who ‘led by example’ and tried to instill a pronounced ‘work-ethic’ into his children. Norm ‘walked-the-walk.’ He was always upbeat, with a great sense of humor, and enjoyed a good joke or prank. Those who knew him were truly blessed.
His children are as follows: Jeffrey A. and Patty Filipiak of Michigan City, IN; Curtis J. and Shannon Filipiak of Western Springs, IL; Edwin and Kendra K. Wollert of Corvalis, OR; and Robert and Carla M. Neary of Michigan City, IN. His grandchildren are: Joseph and Kylie Filipiak of Michigan City; Connor and Tess Filipiak of Western Springs, IL; and Rory, Molly, MaryCate, and Liam Neary of Michigan City, IN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Queen of all Saints Catholic Church, 606 So. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN. A private burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am - 10:00 am Saturday at the church. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 606 So. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our website at www.otthaverstock.com.
