Al Fazekas, 1949 Southwestern High Starting Quarterback, Captain of Southwestern High Baseball, and Long, Long, Long, Long Suffering Lions Fan Dies at 94.

— Alexander (Al) Fazekas crossed that big goal line in the sky on April 11. Al was greatly looking forward to the upcoming NFL draft, and cautiously noted "The Lions have three first round picks, I just hope they don't blow it." Al grew up in the famed Detroit Hungarian enclave of Delray only three doors down from Holy Cross Church. Al cherished his Hungarian roots and loved his native Hungarian foods namely chicken paprikas and töltött káposzta. Al often remarked "My Grandmother's chicken paprikas was always very delicious, but men in our neighborhood would fight over her töltött káposzta." Al was born in the Appalachian town of Dante, Virginia and moved to Detroit when his parents died before he reached the age of two. He was lovingly raised by his Grandmother Julia, and his four incredible, doting older sisters Mary, Rose, Julia, and Helen. Al learned at a very early age to honor and respect women. As Al often noted "I loved my sisters, but I figured out pretty quickly not to get one of them mad — let alone all four of them." In 1951, Al joined the US Army and was stationed in Sault Ste. Marie. Not surprisingly, Al was a star player on the US Army baseball team. Al often joked "I guarded the Soo Locks with my Louisville Slugger at my side." To paraphrase Will Rogers — Al never met a sport he didn't like. From skiing, full-contact hockey, hunting, pool, and golf. His Gene Littler-esque perfect tempo golf swing was a thing of beauty. In a bygone era, Al and his golfing buddies enjoyed many wonderful days on the Oakland Hills North Course, back when it was public, and which Arnold Palmer himself believed was even better than the esteemed South Course. Al was a draftsman by trade in the auto industry, and like all great Detroiters — he was a consummate car guy. Al loved his '67 Cougar and kept its storied 351 Cleveland engine purring like a kitten with monthly oil changes on his driveway. Al had a notorious lead foot and liked to joke "I didn't want that Cleveland seizing up on me if some punk tried to race me on Telegraph." Al's mechanically inclined nature led him to designing one of the most organized garages in North America. Every nut, screw, and bolt were labeled and meticulously placed in his shop. He could fix virtually anything that broke, and a repairman never once darkened his doorway. Al became a second father to his late nephew Andy Konkoly, Jr. when Al lived next door with his two sisters Mary and Rose. Al and his nephew Andy owned race horses, and raced their prized steeds through Anjo Racing at the former Detroit Race Course. Al's loving grand nieces spent endless weekends at Al's house visiting and playing with his adored dogs Smokey and Heidi.

Al is survived by his beloved nephews Joe Kastely, Jim Kastely (Joanna), his beloved niece Rosemary Broses, his adoring grand nieces Joan Broses, Lynette Gascoigne, Cathy Broses, Meredith Morgan (Jim), Marlene Konkoly, and Jillian Kastely. His adoring grand nephews Jack Broses (Christine) and Jaymes Kastely. Al was preceded in death in February by his longtime loving companion Connie DeCerchio and his grand niece Judy Broses. Al was revered and adored by Connie's sons Ray DeCerchio, John DeCerchio (Mickey Guisewite), Tom De Cerchio and Connie's beloved grandchildren Jack DeCerchio, Mia DeCerchio, and Dylan O'Connell-De Cerchio.

Al's family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Holy Cross Hungarian Catholic Church in Detroit which is undergoing major renovations.

Additionally, any prayers be made for world peace, ending famine, and a small but important one for Al's beloved Detroit Lions.

Visitation Sunday, April 16 ^th , 4pm until the 6 pm Funeral Service at Santeiu & Son 1139 Inkster Road, Garden City.

Burial will take place Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery in Detroit.