Gerald “Jerry” F. Pilarski
Gerald “Jerry” F. Pilarski, 77, of Grand Lake, died at his home at Grand Lake Friday, August 14, 2026. The son of Harry Sr. and Maryann (Ennest) Pilarski, Gerald “Jerry” was born November 4, 1948, in Rogers City. He married his sweetheart Connie K. Pilarski July 21, 2001, at their home on Grand Lake.
Jerry was raised in Posen and was a 1967 graduate of Posen High School. While in high school Jerry went to trade school and studied welding and painting. He loved a sharp ride with a good paint job since the beginning. After school he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge. Upon his return Connie introduced him to her aunts, Faith and Verna. Verna had Averill Auto Sales in Pontiac. He left Posen to work for Verna as the “cleanup guy.” He loved those years learning all about cars, but after starting his own family the “Plan Man,” as he was lovingly called, knew it was time to start saving for the future.
Over the years Jerry and Mike Fitzpatrick formed a bond that was more like brothers and started working at General Dynamics (GD) Land Systems together. Under private military contract, later in life with General Dynamics, he traveled all over the world and lived in many countries including Egypt, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the list continues.…He trained the military in these countries. He provided education of tank maintenance on the M1 A1 Abrahams Tanks and the conversion program for the M60 tank, taught the locals the trade of welding and then back stateside built prototypes in the Sterling Heights facility. While overseas he had the honor of meeting General Norman Schwarzkopf. He loved that moment and still has that photo to this day.
In the summer of 1995 Connie went to Kuwait to live with him. You can be sure that Jerry, Connie, and his GD buddies had a good time together, making their fun at the U.S. military base there. If you know that story, then you had some good laughs with Jerry and Connie over that one….Jerry was very proud of his 30 years of service with General Dynamics and his family was proud of him too. He built a lasting legacy for his children and grandchildren.
Jerry met the love of his life Connie when he was 19. He ran into her at The Millersburg Diner and the rest was history. The next day he called her parents and asked her on date. Due to life and being drafted they ended up starting separate families and having their children. It was a love that spanned time and they found each other again in 1990 and picked up where they left off. Sometimes life has a way of us taking the long road, but destiny always has its way of bringing together what needs to be finished.
The two of them shared a passion for their children and grandchildren. They dreamed of life and retirement one day at Grand Lake. Jerry was the type of man that went all in on anything he was doing. From the first day they got back together they had five children. Jerry and Connie created a life that was all about love, family and friends. Jerry was at his happiest once he was retired when people were around. He loved throwing a good party with the Donny Hartman band where everyone was up dancing for hours, having laughs and sitting around the campfire on the lake. He loved to give rides on his boat, Close Enough – that name says it all. He was always just so happy to have the blessings life gave him. He could be serious though. If you hadn’t heard about saving for retirement and sat at a table with him for an hour, you now had the formula on how to plan for a good retirement. That is where the “Plan Man” was born.
Jerry really enjoyed Deer Camp at the Swan Rivers Falls with his son Matt, his brothers and nephews. The guys always had an opening night dinner, poker game, a few laughs and a lot of beer. He enjoyed Trout Camp with the Chapman Family every April. He had the time of his life playing spitzer and having a beer. Cathie, always a devoted twin, made sure that Jerry stayed close to the family, was included and cared for after Connie’s passing.
Jerry was a wonderful man to all that ever met him. You were a friend at the first hello and he made sure you knew he loved you. He was a sweet and loving dad to his kids and grandpa to his six grandchildren. He welcomed and loved all the kids that came to Grand Lake every summer to have fun. Jerry and Connie dreamed a beautiful dream that has sustained to this day. Everyone together loving each other. They say you never step in the same river twice and life with him was quite the ride. “Wish we could do it all again….Jerry’s final words to all of you are that he had a really good time and loved you all. Can’t you hear his voice right now… ‘wasn’t that fun, didn’t we have a good time?’ ‘Aren’t we lucky!’
“Jerry and Connie are smiling down on all of us today. They are finally reunited. He waited a long time to get back to his girl. We have some comfort knowing he is celebrating up above, but boy will we miss that laugh until we meet again…”
Surviving Jerry is his son, Matthew (Chelsie) Pilarski of Auburn Hills; a daughter, Kristie Pilarski of Oxford; sons, Andy (Andi) Foeller of Beaverton, Oregon and Joshua (Sarah) Foeller of Rochester; a daughter, Mayle (Nishan) Andonian of Bloomfield Hills; and his six grandchildren, Kayla Drogosch, Cassidy Foeller Luke, Sequoia Foeller Luke, Jane Bruder, John Bruder and Lily Andonian.
Jerry also leaves his brothers, Dick (Donna) Pilarski of Grand Lake, Harry (Mary) Pilarski of Rogers City and Harley (Violet) Pilarski of Utica; as well as Sharon (wife of Tom) Pilarski of Alpena; Connie’s twin sister, Cathie (John) Foeller of Waterford; nephews, Richard (Jill) Pilarski, Doug (Lori) Pilarski and Tom (Christina) Pilarski; a niece, Michelle (Tim) Gapske; wife, Connie’s extended Chapman family at the Peak who loved Jerry as if he was one of their own; as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, General Dynamics buddies and lifel
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Connie; and a brother, Tom.
Visitation will be at the Chagnon Funeral Home today (Thursday, August 20) from 4 – 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be at the Chagnon Funeral Home Friday, August 21, at 11 a.m. with Clark Chapman officiating. Jerry’s final resting place will be at North Allis Township Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation to his favorite charities St. Jude and The Humane Society.
