Leo Walter Pietryga

Leo peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 27, 2025. He was the eldest of 14 children, he was born to the late Leo and Mary (Ciesla) Pietryga on January 21, 1931, in Munger, Michigan. He was an active church member of Holy Trinity-Corpus Christi Parish for 60 years serving his church community as Head Usher and Commentator. He was a proud Veteran and served in the United States Air Force as a Computer Analyst at the Pentagon during the Korean Conflict skills he proudly applied in his career at Dow and later at EDS as a Systems Analyst. Leo especially loved spending time with his friends and family, fishing on Saginaw Bay, golfing, hunting and most of all he loved entertaining in his meticulously maintained back yard. Many enjoyed his amazing cooking, from his tantalizing prime rib or rack of lamb to his BBQ chicken and ribs that would fall off the bone. Those who were lucky enough to enjoy one of his snickerdoodles, coconut peanut butter cookies or his legendary crystallized ginger scones new the guy could bake as well.

Leo had many things he looked forward to each year, some of them being the annual northern Michigan hunting trip with his friends and family for over 70 years, summer family vacations at Crystal Lake, and his family reunions that started in 1970. He also enjoyed watching sports especially, Duke and U of M football, where his grandchildren went to school.

Leo is survived by his wife, Janice (Gushow), whom he married on October 10, 1959, and they have spent almost 66 wonderful years together. He is also survived by his children, Karen (Tony) Torti, Brad (Lynda) Pietryga and David (Gena)Pietryga; grandchildren, Taylor Kotas (Cam Halliday), Austin Kotas (fiancé, Katelyn Jones), Mitchell Pietryga and Lauren Pietryga; son-in-law, Joe Kotas; siblings, Norbert Pietryga, Patricia Pletzke, Jane Smerdon, Alice Frasz, Annette (Ron) Majeske, Clarence (Nancy) Pietryga, Lorraine (Jack) Bork and Tom (Sherry) Pietryga and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Diane Kotas; siblings, Raymond Pietryga, Leonard Pietryga, James Pietryga, Marlene Pietryga and Jerry Pietryga; Sisters-in-law Elaine Pietryga, Sandy Pietryga, and Beverly Pietryga; Brothers-in-law Jack Smerdon, and Skip Frasz; Lifelong family friend Lew Moore.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity-Corpus Christi Parish with Military Honors immediately following the service by the Bay County Veterans Council and the United States Air Force. Officiating will be Rev. Father Robert Gohm. A private inurnment will be held at a later time at St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery. The family will be present to receive visitors at Gephart Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Parish or the American Cancer Society.