Leo F. Sochacki

Leo Francis Sochacki, age 90, passed away peacefully in his home in Plymouth, Michigan on February 9, 2026, surrounded by his family. Leo was a devoted family man, with a great sense of humor and a warm and embracing personality.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 7, 1935, to his parents, the late Helen (nee Zrebecz) and Leo Michael Sochacki.

Leo was the beloved and devoted husband of 69 years to Sylvia Lorraine Sochacki (nee Engel), the loving father of 3 children: Michael Sochacki (spouse Elisabeth), Kathryn Eldridge (spouse Michael), and Cynthia Tonne (spouse Philip). He was the proud grandfather of Andrew Sochacki (spouse Laura), Katherine (Sochacki) Duckworth (spouse Brandon), Jacqueline (Sochacki) Pittman (spouse Daniel), Joshua Eldridge (spouse Meredith), Lauren (Tonne) Catalano (spouse Thomas), Danielle (Tonne) Stewart (spouse Dylan), and Meaghan Eldridge. Leo was also blessed with 11 great grandchildren, Gwen, Reid and Pierce Sochacki, Oliver and Jean Duckworth, Elias Pittman, Landon and Tinley Catalano, Joslyn and Sydney Stewart, and James Leo Eldridge. He also just missed seeing his twelfth great grandchild baby boy Pittman who is due to be born into this world any day. He is also survived by his sister, Dianne Bellia, and preceded in death by his Brother Richard Sochacki and his wife Dee, and Sister Patricia and her husband Ken Bugno.

Leo and Sylvia lived on the same street, Dwyer, in Detroit, several blocks from each other. Sylvia always had her eye on Leo during high school, but since he was 3 years older than her, they did not start dating until she was 17. In 1954, Leo and his father Leo, saw Sylvia waiting for a bus to go home, and on his dad’s recommendation he offered her a ride home and after a short courtship they married on October 13, 1955.

Leo completed his Bachelors degree in Engineering from Lawrence Technological University going to night school while he worked full time at the Chevrolet Livonia Spring and Bumper plant. He was a packaging engineer and after 35 years retired from Chevrolet in 1990. Leo then became a consultant for Marling and Associates.

Leo proudly served in the Army National Guard, and received his M1 Marksman certification, was a light weapons infantryman and received his honorable discharge as a supply sergeant.

Leo loved his Polish heritage, calling his cottage on Houghton Lake “Polish Paradise”, where they spent every summer for almost 50 years. He taught his grandchildren to fish, pulled them on tubes behind his pontoon, and made great bonfires enjoying his Manhattan and roasting hot dogs and s’mores.

Leo with his best friend Ray Biegas, started an annual Father’s day golf outing called the Polish Open. The event lasted over 40 years and started in Houghton Lake, Michigan, and then grew in size to almost 120 players and moved to Cadillac Country Club. He was a very good athlete, carrying a 190 plus bowling average for many years, and actually rolled a perfect score 300 during his career. He also had a hole in one at 60 years old while playing golf with family members at Hidden Valley Golf Course in the Gun Lake, MI area. It was a par 3, 151 yards and he used a 6 iron.

He also was a devoted Catholic, and gave back to his church by leading the annual Fall Festival at Our Lady of Good Counsel for many years, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the church. And he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for many years.

Leo had an outgoing personality, and loved to joke around with family and friends, especially playing pranks on the golf course. He also loved to play cards, cribbage and pinochle, and was known as the “Swami” because of his card playing abilities. One of his favorite phrases was “I like your Altitude”. He was also an avid Detroit Lions, Tigers and Red Wings fan.

Leo loved going to his kids and grandkids activities and sporting events, and he was their number 1 fan in everything that they did.

Leo was loved by family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.

We invite you to join us at his visitation on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 2::00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan.

There will be a family tribute at 6:30 followed by the rosary at the Funeral Home.

Visitation will continue on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 10:30 A.M. until the start of the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 A.M. at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, located at 14915 N Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI. Leo will be laid to rest at Old St. Patrick Catholic Church Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Leo Sochacki are invited to consider a contribution to: St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.