Kenneth Paul Grisnak

Kenneth "Ken" Grisnak

April 28, 1951 - July 14, 2024

Ken died peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday July 14, 2024, at Rivergate Nursing Home as a result of complications from diabetes and sepsis. He was 73 years old.

Ken was preceded in death by his father Chester Grisnak, his mother Lucille "Lou" Grisnak; and his avian feathered companion "Bucky". It is safe to say there's a little grey parrot awaiting on the other side….

He is survived by his half sister, Ellen Anderson, Los Gatos, Ca., brother Robert Grisnak and sister-in-law Karen Dukes Grisnak, Harbor Springs, MI.

Growing up in Allen Park, MI., Ken was a quintessential "Boomer Baby" of the 1950's and 60's. He spoke with humility and respect for his boyhood "Cabrini" friends that embodies the best of who we are.

Ken was a spirited, well spoken student at St. Francis Cabrini who frequently stated "I did my twelve years of time". After graduation with honors at Cabrini, he was accepted at the University of Michigan and studied English Literature. At this time in 1969, it may be presumptuous, that his defiant spirit of hating Ohio State University took deeper root.

He completed a Bachelor Degree in Speech and Communication from Wayne State University; Ken launched his career as a sales apprentice in the NYC textile industry in the mid seventies. Clients and colleagues were more like an extended family to Ken- maybe perhaps too much to keep up the bachelor lifestyle, in NYC. Ken negotiated a new beginning in "Hot Lanta", Atlanta Georgia in the 1980s as an Executive National Sales Rep. for Robertex Fine-wool Floor Coverings.

The road was not a simple highway, when his beloved 50th state of Hawaii came calling. Ken relocated to Oahu in 1990 and he was on the island of Kauai in 1992 when the most powerful tropical cyclone "Iniki" to strike the islands occurred on record. Most importantly, he valued the experiences of trekking the Na Pali coast and Kalalau Valley.

A paradigm shift in business plans were undertaken in Oahu selling surgical instrumentation. It can be said there was no other place that he rather be then home in these islands in the middle of the sea.

Leasing a piece of "Aina " or Hawaiian land was his dream, however, it was not to be. He returned back to the mainland for "Baghdad by the Bay" San Francisco, Ca with a new beginning.

In SF he was a creator for Video Conferencing Court Depositions and became a Facebook friend to the world. Sadly, a hypertensive crisis resulted in a stroke that eventually led to early retirement and an Allen Park residence.

He was proud to be the last of the original families that lived on Hubert Ave. between Wick and Englewood streets. Ken was frequently quoted as saying " Doing As Much As I Could, I Ended At The Beginning~ Ancora Imparo".

The family is honoring Ken's request to forego having a funeral or memorial.