Obituary of Joseph "Pete" Loselle

December 24, 1931 - July 13, 2018 

Joseph Pierre Loselle Jr.  Age 86 of Wyandotte.

Beloved husband of Olive Loselle for 62 years.  Loving father of Janet Suty, Sharon (Bernie) Larkin, JoAnn (David) Monrreal, Ginny (Peter) Przybylski, and Joe (Laura) Loselle. Dear brother of Larry (Maureen) Loselle. Also survived by 12 grand children and 11 great-grand children. Preceded in death by his brother Arlen Loselle.

Joseph Pierre (“Pete”) Loselle was born on December 24th, 1931 to Joseph P. Loselle and Tarnitis Lash Loselle, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  According to a family member, his father had hoped he’d be the first baby of the new year, but he’s been our Christmas present ever since!  Well-known to several generations in locally, and always well-loved, Pete moved back to Wyandotte with his parents, where they first lived with his grandparents on Mulberry Street, in an apartment behind his father’s dental office.  They later moved to Superior, where he lived much of his life, and where his younger brothers, Arlen and Larry were born.  The family suffered the lifelong hospitalization of his mother, and the children were cared for by his aunt, Harriet (“Sally”) Loselle, who also lived with them.  Throughout his life he loved baseball, and was frequently seen in the neighborhood playing a game of catch.  He attended The Hall of the Divine Child, the boys’ school run by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in Monroe, Michigan, and then St. Patrick’s Parish High School, from which he graduated in 1950.  Enlisting in the Navy, he served aboard the USS Roanoke, visiting many ports throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East.

Returning to Wyandotte, he married Olive (“Ollie”) McLaughlin in 1956, and raised five children, all of whom are lifelong Downriver residents.  He enjoyed a long career at Great Lakes Steel, and was active in local sports programs and the Wyandotte Chapter of the Knights of Columbus.  There are few who knew Pete who did not lose a hand of cards to him before he bought them a drink.  Known for his good humor and conviviality, he delighted in card tricks.  Pete contributed much to the community though his coaching, hospitality at the K of C, and his volunteer work with the disabled at the Joe Brighton Center for vocational programs at Wilson Middle School.  A lifelong and active member of St. Patrick’s (now St. Vincent Palotti’s) Parish, he was a mentor and supporter of many in the community through his civic engagement and his unassuming generosity. He will be missed by many.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, his children Janet Suty, Sharon (Bernard) Larkin, JoAnn (David) Monrreal, Virginia “Ginny” (Peter) Przybylski and Joseph (Laura) Loselle, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his brother Larry (Maureen), and his nieces and nephews.

Written by Pete's nephew, Gregory Loselle