Obituary of Alexander Charles Suczek

Alexander Charles Suczek of South Padre Island, TX, formerly of Grosse Pointe, MI, died peacefully June 24, 2017 in his summer residence in Stamford, CT at the age of 89. Alex is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marybelle (nee Riley), his daughters, Hedi Suczek OConnor, Yohanna Suczek Sowler, and four grandchildren: Caeleigh, Riley, and Sean OConnor, and Lily Sowler. He is preceded in death by his parents, half-sister Vera Suczek of Grosse Pointe, and half-brother Robert of Lafayette, California. Alex was born in New York City to Charity Gawanski and Robert Suczek, but the family moved to Grosse Pointe shortly thereafter. He graduated as Valedictorian of Detroit University School, one of the predecessor schools of University Liggett School. Following his graduation from Harvard University in 1950, he served in the Air Force, before returning to Grosse Pointe. Alex was an advertising executive at Lintas: Campbell Ewald, where, for much of his career, he was the Editor of "Friends" Magazine. His primary passion, however, was the arts, especially music. He founded the Grosse Pointe Summer Music Festival in 1957. For 32 years he was President of Pro Musica of Detroit, presenting new and outstanding classical artists. He taught hundreds of students to play and sing folk guitar, using a notation system he developed to teach the strumming patterns. As a performer, his specialty was the traditional songs of Vienna, and for his role in promoting Viennese culture he was decorated by the Government of Austria. Inspired by a Stratford Festival production of Phaedre, he wrote a theatre review, and thus began a second career as a music and theater critic. He served on the board of the El Paseo Arts Foundation and launched their foreign film festival. He was an avid skier, sailor and gardener; an excellent cook, and a connoisseur of fine wines. He learned to windsurf at sixty, and was still windsurfing when he turned eighty. Alexs enthusiasm for life and music was infectious. A memorial service is planned for Saturday July 15th, 2pm at St. Lukes Parish, Darien CT with a reception to follow at the Youth and Community Center. A local memorial celebration will be held at The Grosse Pointe Club, 6 Berkshire Place, Grosse Pointe Farms on Saturday August 5th at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pro Musica of Detroit, c/o Stan Beattie, 29069 Utley, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, or El Paseo Art Foundation, P.O. Box 1185, Port Isabel, TX 78578. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820