John M. Pulbratek

John Pulbratek was born November 16, 1952, to Mitchell and Wanda Pulbratek. John attended Catholic schools, and considered a religious vocation, but chose, instead, to exercise a lay ministry of compassion and care, especially for those in need. John had a vigorous and honest relationship with his Creator! Though he clearly heard God’s call to certain ministries, sometimes he answered “Yes” though with “a great deal of self-doubt and apprehension”, and, other times, “NO!”, trusting that “God will continue to love you, but will keep asking in the hopes that, someday, you’ll say ‘yes.’”. Among the things to which he said “Yes” was “Focus Life”, which brought together city and suburban children for self-exploration and discovery. Another was Passport America, a program of the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice, which brought together teens from different ethnicities - Jewish, Chinese, Italian, American Indian, and more - for immersion weekends. He loved seeing barriers broken down and kids just having fun together. Through the Catholic Youth Organization, John coached elementary school basketball, softball, and track for 20 years. He found great joy in working with those young athletes – and, at the end of the day, sending them home to their parents! Though he had his share of league and tournament championships, he was most gratified to see kids develop what he hoped was a lifelong love for sports, a lifelong love of his own. His favorite spectator sport was Unlimited Hydroplane Racing and he was recently able to sponsor a hydroplane race team. The strongest call in John’s life came when his one sibling, Helen, died, and he moved home to care for his mother, an opportunity to “repay, in part, the many wonderful things his parents had done for him.” Over those 10 years he and his mother traveled, planted gardens, and enjoyed each other’s company. Her death was a loss that “took a great toll on him, one from which he never fully recovered”. His most joyful ministry was “playing Santa”, giving gifts without the expectation of something in return, and sometimes even anonymously. If he could have had any job in the world, John would have chosen to be a verse writer at Hallmark Cards, or being “Grumpy” at Disney World. Alas, his work days were with the IRS, a job in which he “took some silly pride, being associated with the helpless, hopeless marginalized” of Jesus’ world. John was a servant leader at his church, Grace Episcopal in Mt. Clemens. His special ministry was amongst people enduring homelessness, and he was a coordinator of the shelter that will be offered to at least 80 people, at Grace, during Christmas week. He regularly volunteered in the parish food pantry. John “could not have asked for a better life, one filled with love, opportunities, happiness, and satisfaction…meeting the best of people, having the best of times,” which left him with “a heart overflowing and a mind full of rich memories.” He “could not envision asking for anything more.” He wanted to be remembered as a quiet, sensitive man who tried to be loving, generous, and kind, and who died with a smile of satisfaction while drawing his last breath. Visitation is at Wasik’s Funeral Home in Warren, Saturday, December 2nd, from 2-7 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. His body will lie in state at Grace Episcopal Church, Mt. Clemens, Sunday, December 3rd, at 12:30, with a Burial Eucharist at 1:00, the Rev. Susan Bock, presiding. All are welcome to a Polish feast, at the church, after the service. In loving memory of John, donations may be addressed to Forgotten Harvest or St. Jude's Hospital.

John M. Pulbratek

November 16, 1952 - November 29, 2017