Dr. D. Emerick Szilagyi, Bloomfield Hills

Doctor was pioneer in vascular surgery

In his career at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. D. Emerick Szilagyi relished taking risks advancing vascular surgery developments. - 11/19/2009

Emma W. Holmes, Detroit

Retired teacher aided cultural events

Emma Holmes loved living in Detroit -- so much so, for years she was a familiar face at some of the city's prominent spots. - 11/18/2009

'Equalizer' actor Edward Woodward dies at 79

London -- Edward Woodward, the star of films including "Breaker Morant" and "The Wicker Man," died Monday. He was 79. - 11/16/2009

Mary Lou Currie, Birmingham

Police dispatcher loved tennis

Mary Lou Currie, a Lakewood, Ohio, native, worked as a dispatcher for the Birmingham Police Department in Oakland County for 24 years before retiring in 2002. - 11/16/2009

Robert Anderson, Redford Twp.

Ford designer was passionate traveler

Redford Township -- Relatives describe Robert Anderson as a loving family man who had a passion for skiing and traveling the country. - 11/14/2009

Richard Newcomb, Livonia

Law enforcement led to movie role

Longtime Detroit homicide detective Richard Newcomb worked on famous cases, both real and fictional. Mr. Newcomb was involved in the Oakland County child killer investigation and a missing person case that was featured on the television show, "America's Most Wanted." - 11/12/2009

Roger Weymouth, Rochester

Businessman, veteran put his community first

Roger Weymouth loved serving his community. With his wife, Gladys, the retired electrician was an active volunteer: assisting at local concerts in the park; delivering food to a senior center; and fundraising for the Salvation Army during the holidays. - 11/11/2009

Todd Whitelaw, Royal Oak

Hockey coach inspired players with passion for game

When Todd Whitelaw began coaching for the '97 Metro Titans travel hockey team, he did so without payment but a commitment to the sport. - 11/09/2009

James Pearson Duffy, Grosse Pointe

Businessman donated millions for the arts

Grosse Pointe -- When James Pearson Duffy died this week, Detroit lost a significant champion of local artists and a patron who gave millions to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Mr. Duffy, who lived in Grosse Pointe, was 86 when he died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. - 11/07/2009

Levi-Strauss' theories altered anthropology

Paris -- Claude Levi-Strauss, widely considered the father of modern anthropology for work that included theories about commonalities between tribal and industrial societies, has died. He was 100. - 11/04/2009

Joseph J. Heister, Birmingham

Engineer motivated by deep love of sports

Whether he was coaching his children's teams, playing hockey and softball or following the Detroit Red Wings, Joe Heister loved being involved in sports. - 11/03/2009

Bill Hoover Sr., Grosse Pointe

Bill Hoover Sr.: Grosse Pointe teacher had personal touch

Grosse Pointe --Mechanical things fascinated Bill Hoover Sr., but respect for people guided him as a teacher at Grosse Pointe South High School. Mr. Hoover, who died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at his Grosse Pointe Woods home, used to say, "There is no system to replace individual attention." - 11/02/2009

Timothy J. Doyle, Sylvan Lake

Sports advocate coached kids

Tim Doyle was so dedicated to overseeing parks and recreation for Independence Township, he got directly involved. "He taught kids swimming lessons and coached Little League," said his brother, Brian Doyle. "Anything he could to make the kids have a better experience, that's what he was about." - 11/02/2009

Fred Marx, of Marx Layne public relations firm, dies at 67

Farmington Hills -- Fred Marx, co-founding partner of the Marx Layne & Co. public relations and marketing firm, died Sunday of heart failure in his home, the company said. - 11/01/2009

Leonard Haggerty, Roseville

Politician loved public service

Whether serving as a mayor, city councilman, or a Macomb County commissioner, Leonard Haggerty considered the residents he worked for. - 10/28/2009

John G. Dudash, Beverly Hills

Engineer loved to explore

Years after he left his engineering job at Ford Motor Co., John Dudash kept a mechanical mind -- building model ships, deconstructing flashlights and trying to assemble computers. - 10/27/2009

Joseph L. Hansknecht, Southfield

Banker, rights activist put family first

Of Joseph L. Hansknecht's accomplishments, including being a presidential appointee and having a career dedicated to consumer issues and civil rights, family was the most important. - 10/26/2009

Character actor Lou Jacobi dies in NYC at 95

New York -- Actor Lou Jacobi, who was known for comic roles and won praise in dramatic ones over a long career in the theater and movies, has died. He was 95. - 10/26/2009

Adolph Polak, Harper Woods

Die maker loved the kitchen and garden

Throughout the growing season, Adolph Polak was usually in his yard -- tending tomatoes, manicuring his bentgrass and watering "hybrid" roses he produced using a branch-grafting method. - 10/23/2009