Gerald G. Roosen "Jerry"

Gerald G. Roosen, January 3, 1936 — September 1, 2024 of Livonia. Jerry is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 69 years, Delphine (nee St. Louis), his sons Richard (Sue) Roosen, Michael Roosen, and Christopher (Karen) Roosen. He was devoted to his five grandchildren (Chris, John, Paul, Tony and Liz) and six great grandchildren (Rose, Rory, Sophia, Eleanor, Matthew and Stella Mary). He is also survived by his best friend of 70 years, Gerald Scott of Sterling Heights. Gerald George Roosen was born in Detroit on January 3, 1936. His father, Bertram worked at the US Rubber (later Uniroyal) tire factory on Jefferson Avenue near Belle Isle. His mother, Georgia Opal Dees, who worked as a corset fitter in Downtown Detroit Department Stores, was the daughter of a coal miner from the small village of Bulpitt, Illinois. He was also predeceased by his older Brother Kenneth Roosen, who left home at 17 to join the U.S. Navy in 1944. Kenneth was Jerry’s real life World War II hero as a boy. Jerry graduated from East Detroit High School and met the love of his life, Delphine on a blind date. They married on September 10, 1955 at the age of 19 and have been inseparable ever since. Delphine’s uncle helped Jerry get a job as a machine builder at the George L. Nankervis Company, later known as Cox Instruments. Jerry quickly rose through the ranks to team leader and then foreman. On Jul 20, 1969, Jerry and nine co-workers left Cox to found their own company, Testek, in Livonia, where Jerry managed production and purchasing. Testek quickly became successful and later acquired Cox and several other competitors. The company is still a leader in the test equipment industry, 55 years later. Jerry was proud of the men he hired and trained, who stayed with Testek and retired from the company. From his humble origins, Testek allowed Jerry to live the American dream. He enjoyed camping in the 1970’s, and then boating, golf, and snowmobiling with Del and their children and grandchildren, and long holiday weekends at their cottage in Canadian Lakes. It seemed those summers would never end, and we cherish the memories he created with us. He also enjoyed travel with Del and friends, seeing the world on their many travels to Europe and Asia, photographing their journeys with a series of cameras, from 8mm home movies to an iphone camera. After retirement, Jerry and Del wintered at their condo on Lido Key in Sarasota, quickly making friends with people from across the United States and Canada. He enjoyed golf, walking the beach, and dinners out with friends and family, always as the driver for the elderly and sick neighbors. He was active in his homeowners associations in Livonia and Sarasota, always quick to help fix or repair something for neighbors, or just drive them to the airport. Remembering his humble upbringing, he was known for his generosity. His Faith was very important to him, providing Catholic education to his children, visiting the Vatican on a trip to Rome, and praying at the tomb of Solanus Casey for healing from cancer. Jerry will be remembered and missed by so many friends, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues who cherish his generosity as well as his strength and determination to live with cancer. Visitation Thursday, September 5 at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road Plymouth from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service. Instate Friday, September 6. from 10:30 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Colette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Rd, Livonia. Internment at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights. We ask donations to be made to the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit in memory of Jerry and in Thanksgiving for the time that we had with him during his six years with cancer. His dying wish is that everyone get their colonoscopy. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Gerald G. Roosen "Jerry"

January 3, 1936 - September 1, 2024