Obituary: Harry Lee Ziolkowski-Abbe, 75, formerly of Ludington.

Obituary: Harry Lee Ziolkowski-Abbe, 75, formerly of Ludington.

Harry Lee Abbe “Ziolkowski” of Zephyrhills, Florida, formerly of Ludington and Traverse City, passed away on July 15, 2022, at age 75 at his home from natural causes in Zephyrhills, Florida. He was born on Sept. 26, 1946, in Traverse City to John and Veronica Ziolkowski. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Helen Biermacher and Loretta Ziolkowski; brother John Ziolkowski; and grandson Jesse Abbe.

Harry proudly spent the early years of his life serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was ranked sergeant. During his tour of duty, he fought in the Tet Offensive in 1968, among many other battles. He will be buried with full military honors.                         

Harry was an avid golfer and bowler for the entirety of his life and once he retired and moved to Florida, he finally made his first hole in one “one of two” in which was one of many of his bucket list items he was able to accomplish. He enjoyed gardening and was known to have quite the “green thumb”, fast cars, fishing, country music and Elvis Presley, building playhouses with the kids, driving us kids around just to look for bottles on the side of the roads, tirelessly hand doing kitchen cabinets “he was a very good woodworker with lots of pride in everything he did” but most of all he truly loved all things of mother nature. He enjoyed making people feel comfortable and make them laugh. He was quite the joker. Harry’s contagious and distinctive laugh will be deeply missed by family and friends alike. He was a true leader, an amazing father, and a man that we loved whole heartily and will miss dearly!

After he returned from the war, he traveled around Michigan looking for an opportunity to live and work and raise his family. He visited Ludington and fell in love with it. He started working as a meter reader for Consumers Energy until the pump storage plant was completed and quickly moved up in position to a controls manager which was a very demanding and important job. Back in the 1978 snowstorm he was snowed in for three weeks and they had to use snowmobiles to bring him food and cigarettes so he could continue to keep the power on for all. He eventually was dug out and returned home. He worked swing shift for years and raised all his kids by himself as a single father. He was always a believer and reaffirmed his faith greatly in his later years and as a young man had his baptism and first communion. He was a man of strong faith and has a strong personal relationship with our lord and raised all his children in Christian traditions. 

He had worked at Consumers Energy Pump Storage Plant until his retirement at the age of 55. Due to health issue from the war.

Harry is survived by his sister Veronica Harland; his children; Teresa Lee Schuler, Paul James Abbe, Michael John Abbe (Nikki Lyn Abbe) and Vera Lynn Todd. His grandchildren Stephen Abbe (Amber Abbe), Cody Abbe, Jordon Abbe, Tyler Lucas, Larissa Todd, Caleb Todd, Elan Todd, Thomas Schuler, Christopher Schuler, and Stephanie Schuler; step-grandchildren; Sierra and James DeVries; great-grandchildren Cameron Brock, Quinn Schuler, Scarlet Castro; Liem Lucas, Seth Johnson; step-great-grandchildren Trenton Trivisonno, AvaLyn DeVries. 

A military service with full honors will be held at Fort Custer National Veterans Cemetery on Monday, August 8, 2022 at noon. Family and friends can view and express condolences, stories, memories, and updates through Neptune Society http://www.neptunesociety.com.

Thank you and God Bless Harry Lee Abbe.