Dean Aloysius Pfeffer

Dean Aloysius Pfeffer passed away peacefully on March 23, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 21, 1930, age 92 “skadoo,” in Detroit, Michigan, the first of four children to Aloysius Chester “Bop” and Clarabel “Boots” (Izzard) Pfeffer. Dean graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in Detroit, Michigan. He met the love of his life, Mary Camilla MacDonell, when his family moved across the street from her family home. They married in May of 1951 and soon after began their family. Together they raised their six children: Suzanne (Thomas) Goldsmith, Katherine (Jack-d) Pross, Robert (Wendy) Pfeffer, Daniel (Michele) Pfeffer, Doni (Kris) Houghtaling and Jacqueline (Craig) Hyde. Dean and Camilla began their life together in a small apartment on “11 West Margaret” until they bought their first home on Heyden Street in Detroit. After 17 years, they moved to New Hudson to a home they built on their “farm.” They enjoyed many trips to Traverse City, which they considered their favorite place in the world. Dean was Camilla’s “best friend” and soulmate. For many years, Dean was a Twin Pines milkman owning his own routes. After retiring from the milk business, he opened Meadowbrook Art Center in Novi, Michigan. He loved working with the public and was a very social person. He especially enjoyed making new friends as well as staying connected to his roots. Many of his friends were fellow members of the Novi chapter of Rotary International, and many others were longtime friends from his high school and milk route business. He always found great joy in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a young man, Dean loved to hunt and fish, and continued to enjoy those hobbies for many years with his friends, relatives, and eventually his own children and grandchildren. In addition to his 6 children, he was blessed with 17 grandchildren: Sean, Colin, Meghan, Rick, Katie, Tim, Mary, Scott, Karly, Alanna, Peter, Adrianna, Kristin, Mitchell, Eric, Kevin, Aidan and 16 great-grandchildren: Hunter, Connor, Lucy, Claire, Vincent, Antonia, Ronin, Thea, Finnegan, Abigail, Quenton, Henry, Camilla, Alistor, Andrew, Dean. He is also survived by his brother Gary Pfeffer, his sister Gail Delp, his sister-in-law Patricia Pfeffer, his brother-in-law Kevin MacDonell, his sister-in-law Margaret Lisuzzo, and 22 nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Camilla Pfeffer, his brother Ricky Pfeffer, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Donald and Theresa MacDonell, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ann and Jim Lisuzzo, his sister-in-law Wanda MacDonell, his brother-in-law William Lisuzzo, son-in-law Jack Pross, and his granddaughter Katie Chouinard. Visitation will be held at O’Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm where a Rosary will be held at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 S. Lafayette St., South Lyon, MI 48178 on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 10:00am with Fr. Stan Tokarski as celebrant. He will lie in state at the church from 9:30am until the time of service. Luncheon will follow the service, departing at 12:30pm for Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48033. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Penrickton Center for Blind Children.

Dean Aloysius Pfeffer

August 22, 1930 - March 23, 2023