Frederick “Fred” James Figiel, age 60, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband, father, papa, son, brother, and friend. Fred was born on July 18, 1962, in Gaylord, Michigan to Felix and Barbara (Ciszewski) Figiel. He lived in Elmira, Michigan his entire life. He graduated from Gaylord High School in 1980 and completed college at Alpena Community College where he became a master mechanic. He then worked at East Jordan Iron Works for 37 years.
On August 30, 1986, he married Tami S. Baker. They raised two daughters, Ashley and Heidi. He was very proud to have raised two registered nurses. His family was most important to Fred, and he made that very much known in his last few days. He had a passion for the outdoors. He enjoyed mushroom picking, snowmobiling, two-tracking, camping, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and playing horseshoes and cornhole. He also loved making sausage with his family in his pole barn, using his secret recipe. He was known to make the best sausage around. One of his favorite pastimes was riding in his truck with his wife and dog, Boo, enjoying the countryside and the back roads. He also loved spending time with his family and friends playing cards (euchre was a favorite). He adored teaching his grandson, Camden, how to mow grass and loved making silly faces with his granddaughter, Grace. He spent most of his summers camping with family at “Baker’s Acres”. You could always find him with a Miller High Life in hand, enjoying the campfire. He was known to put on the best fireworks display over the 4th of July weekend. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, competitiveness, intelligence, and his kind and compassionate spirit.
He is survived by his wife, Tami; his daughters, Ashley (Andy) Reynolds of Boyne Falls, Michigan, and Heidi (Ty) Reynolds of Elmira, Michigan; his parents, Felix and Barbara Figiel of Elmira, Michigan; his brothers, Jerry (Denise) Figiel of Quaker City, Ohio, and Dennis (Larry) Figiel of East Jordan, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Baker of Romeo, Michigan, Debbie (Terry) Coon of Alba, Michigan, Pamela Anthony of Elmira, Michigan, and brother-in-law, Roger Sevenski of Elmira, Michigan; grandchildren, Camden and Grace Reynolds; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Fred was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph, and Mary Ciszewski; paternal grandparents, Frank and Verna Figiel; his father-in-law, Smokey Baker; mother-in-law, Velva Baker; sister-in-law, Lori Sevenski; brother-in-law, Steve Anthony; uncles, Carl, Arthur, and Donald Ciszewski; and a few cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. from the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church, 1649 M-32, Gaylord, Michigan.
Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m.
Cards of condolence may be sent to Tami Figiel, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
9 comments on “Frederick “Fred” J. Figiel”
Dear Figiel Family,
Please know Your ALL in Our Prayers at this sad time .. Hugs & Love Bud & Pat
Dear Tami, Ashley, Heidi, and boo. I’m so sorry you lost such a dear part of your family. Though I never met him could see his love for him in all your faces. God, thank you for blessing this family with time to be together and create memories and love for their dad and husband. I pray that you help their hearts heal as they ride the waves of grief. Please wrap your arms around them as you are the great comforter. Amen. ♥️
I am so very sorry for your loss. My sincere sympathy to you all. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Anita
So sorry for your loss
May God comfort you with love and peace during this difficult time
Mary (Petrowski ) Madanat
Tammy and Family
We are so sorry for you loss our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Heidi you and your family are
In our Prayers.
Sincerely the Gehringer’s.
My heart is broken for the Figiel family. I know Fred will be missed by so many who knew him and loved him. I will miss Fred too. Fred was always happy and it was lots of fun to be around him. I spent my teen years hanging out with the Figiel family. I will cherish all those great memories; Riding motorcycle bikes and playing cards, snowmobiling, and of course, the trips to the lake, and playing cards with Fred and the gang.. My thoughts and prayers are with the Figiel family. All my love to the entire family.
Tami,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Ryan & Carla Gray
Fred was a fun loving full spirited guy who was always happy. My condolences to the family. May God surround you with his love and bring you peace. Alice Yeoman