Edward Pepera

Edward Pepera passed away on October 2, 2023. Edward was born on July 31, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan to John and Catherine Pepera. John immigrated from Poland to the U.S. with his parents at the age of 12, and later married Catherine, also of Polish descent, but born in Pennsylvania. Edward lived in their family home on 51st street and Michigan Ave. with his brothers, Bill (deceased), John (Pepsi), and sisters, Barbara (deceased) and Doris. Growing up poor he couldn’t afford a nickel to watch the Friday movies shown at his grade school. He even had to cut the lawn without a lawn mower, using hand held grass clippers. He knew about going without and working hard which would shape his life in the future. Three days before his 18th birthday, Edward joined the navy on July 28, 1944 during World War II. He served as a Machinest Mate 3rd Class on the supply transport ships USS Saugus and USS Numitor, in the Philipines, where he worked in the engine room operating, maintaining and repairing steam engines, turbines, pumps and drainage systems. After the war ended, he later met his wife, Costanza (Connie), born to immigrant parents from Calabria, Italy. After working various jobs and renting places to live, Edward became an electrician for the Excello Corporation. They were able to buy a house in Redford Township, Michigan where their three sons, Fred, Karl and Gerald were born. Living there for seven years, Edward was laid off from his job at Excello. Before using up their remaining savings, they began operating a grille at a bowling alley nearby, still looking for another opportunity to own and operate their own business. The Winston Motel on Grand River was up for sale by a woman who owned the nearby Suburban Motel. A deal was struck between them that Edward and Connie’s house would be the down payment on the motel. The woman who owned the motel needed the house for her daughter and son-in-law to live in. After moving into the very small owner’s quarters of the motel and operating it together, Edward got called back to work at Excello. Connie would run the motel and Edward would come home from work and do all the maintenance required. He and his three sons did all the maintenance work themselves, never hiring anybody except a maid to clean the rooms. After building 7 more rooms and living there for 17 years, their sons moved away starting their own lives; they sold it and moved into an apartment in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Two years later they built their final home, which Edward contracted himself, in Novi, Michigan where they retired, golfing with their many friends and spending time with their three sons, their wives, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always available to help out each of his sons anytime they asked. Edward lived a remarkable life, always living below his means remembering where he came from - his generation being called “The Greatest Generation” which is quite fitting. Edward was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Connie, three years prior. Both of them passed away at home, in their sleep, each of them being 97 years of age. All three sons and their wives made sure their parents were able to stay in their home; Karl, being responsibile for their final care, living with them for the last 5 ½ years. He leaves behind his loving sons, Fred (Toni) Pepera, Karl Pepera and Gerald (Cathy) Pepera. Cherished grandchildren, Sarah (Justin) Walker, Joel (Allyson) Pepera, Heather (Paul) Shiels. Christina Pepera, Noah Pepera. Michael (Jenn) Pepera, Stacey (Chris) Bain, and Phillip Pepera. Wonderful great grandchildren, Taelyn Walker, Kaelia Walker, Paige Pepera, Thomas Shiels, Emma Shiels. Noah Pepera, Isaiah Pepera, Jeremiah Pepera and Asia Pepera. Gabriel Pepera, Edric Pepera, Corrina Pepera, Lily Pepera, Andrew Pepera, Thomas Bain, Isabella Bain and William Bain. If you wish to honor Edward in any way, we ask you to donate to a charity of your choice in his memory.

Edward Pepera

July 31, 1926 - October 2, 2023