Gregory Allen Porada

Gregory Allen Porada of Detroit, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 at 3:12 AM. Beloved Husband, Father, Dziadzia, Son, Son-in-law, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend.

He lost an uphill fight in his battle with cancer, but showed his strength and determination until the very end. Diagnosed last October with Esophageal Cancer, he chose the aggressive route in order to have as much time with those he loved and who loved him. That was his life. There was never a battle that he didn’t stand up and fight for. No matter the obstacle, Greg would find a way around it. He often won. At times he may have lost, but he then learned how to do better the next time (and would talk about it often!)

Greg was born with a strong Polish heritage that he was proud of at St. Francis Hospital in Hamtramck, Michigan on January 25th, 1957 to Balbina Munro (Porada) and the late Witold Porada.

Greg worked from the day he was born. From a pin-setter at the Chene Street Bowling Alley and at the Hamtramck Palladium, shining shoes on Chene, tending to rabbits at Arlan’s and Kingsway, family-owned restaurants including Orbits and Pete and Pat’s, at his Uncle Joe’s print shop, Vispac and then finally, at General Motors where he started on Clark Street and retired after about 30 years from the Poletown plant -- where he was a PROUD member of the UAW Local 22 Union. During the recession, he did everything he could to keep his family sustained by working part time at the Renaissance Deli and at SEMTA SMART. Aside from all his work ethic, he still managed to fit in earning an Associates’ Degree in Electrical Engineering from DEI.

Greg attended St. Stanislaus then St. Hyacinth Grade School where he was a boy scout and attended the Boys Club on Chene Street.

Greg, the “Hammer,” had a natural obsession with sports. He played for the PAYNE Athletic League for the city champion Uplift Pirates, one of Detroit’s first integrated baseball teams, which would go on to be honored at Comerica Park as such. He played basketball at St. Stanislaus with his brother, Larry, and was pitcher for their baseball team. He later transferred to East Catholic and played on their basketball team. Greg was part of many softball teams including Glen’s Sports Center, Dutchy’s, the Local 22 Union team, the Cavemen, Klotz’s, Adam’s Corner, GM Co-ed league and numerous others. He also played basketball for Lasky Rec League. Greg voluntarily stepped up to coach the Our Lady Queen of Apostles Girls’ 5-8th grade Basketball team for two years -- where he was respectfully called “Coach G.” Win or lose, he was an avid lover of all Detroit and University of Michigan sports.

Greg and the love of his life of 46 years, Beverlee, shared an affection for music and nature. They enjoyed many “rides” while listening to some of their favorite tunes -- Classic Rock and Blues being their go-to. He was a loyal listener and viewer of “Under the Radar” on PBS, “Sunday Morning” Moments of Nature on CBS, “Ann Delisi’s Essential Music” on WDET, “Sunday Morning OverEasy” on 94.7 WCSX, WWJ Newsradio 950 and hearing his birthday shoutout from Jim “JJ” Johnson on 104.3 WOMC.

Dad/Daddy always encouraged his five children and their significant others to be hard workers, leaders and to be good human beings. To do the best they know. “Show ‘em the business,” if needed. “Dziadzia” loved his grandchildren and was their biggest fan. He’ll be their Angel in the Field -- encouraging them to “play on.” They all were his pride and joy, gloating over them when he could. All his kids and family were on his team through it all, but could only watch from the sideline and not jump off the bench.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverlee, with whom he set the basis for those children and grandchildren. They enjoyed spending their time together, taking time at the cottage, Mary Lake, Belle Isle, Florida and any time they could get away. They got through a lot together, overcoming many bumps in the road of life. However, TOGETHER was the most important part, navigating life as High School Sweethearts.

Greg was the loving father of Jessica (Jaramia) Becker, Nicholas (Trina) Porada, David (Jennifer) Porada, Sarah (Alex) Wolicki and Samantha Porada (DeAndre Stokes); devoted Dziadzia to Beau, Miah, McKenzie, Katelyn, Joey, Nicholas II, Matthew, Logan, Patrick, Adelaide, Maddox and baby Stokes; forever son of Balbina (Donald) Munro; brother to Larry Porada, Carolyn (David) Plumb, Paul (Lidia) Porada, Ted Porada, and sister-in-law Linda Porada; and son-in-law to Nancy Gasiorowski and step mother-in-law, Charlene King. He will also always be remembered by many half siblings, step siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Witold Porada; brother Richard Porada; father-in-law, Robert Gasiorowski; and brother-in-law, Gary Gasiorowski.

“Go Blue!” & “That’s what you get!!!”

Visitation for Gregory will be held Sunday, July 19, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday, July 20, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. Rosary Service at David Wysocki Funeral Home, 29440 Ryan Road, Warren.  Instate Tuesday, July 21, from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Hyacinth Church, 3151 Farnsworth Street, Detroit.

Notes from the Funeral Home: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic visitation at the funeral home will unfortunately be a bit different than normal.  Masks are required upon entering the building (we recommend using masks outside as well when 6 foot distancing is not possible).  Please use hand sanitizer before and after signing the register book and/or filling out donation envelopes.  If you have a fever or do not feel well, please stay home.  Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and immediately throw the tissue away.  Please wash your hands frequently.  Capacity of the funeral home is 20 guests, please enter the building at the doors under the car port, and follow the directions of the staff.  Capacity at the church is much greater than at the funeral currently.  We understand that many want to be present and pray with the family at the Rosary Service.  We will be transmitting the Rosary Service via the Zoom app. Download the app and make an account ahead of time in any app store, just prior to 6:00 p.m. Monday choose to join a meeting, the meeting ID is 906 841 3133, the meeting password is uhpJ0N.  The 0 is a numerical zero not an alphabet O.  Additionally, for those not familiar with Zoom, we will be broadcasting the service on Facebook live.  Just go to the Wysocki Funeral Home Facebook page, make sure you are looking at our posts, a few minutes before we start the service the live post should appear for your viewing.

Please share a memory, thought, or prayer with the family here at Gregory's Tribute Wall.