Gary Ankenbrandt,  June 2, 1941--November 15, 2016

Gary Ankenbrandt was born in Detroit on June 2, 1941. The Son of a Detroit Fireman Edwardand mother Anne Ankenbrandt. He passed away at his home with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 after a short and sudden illness. Garygraduated from Redford High School in 1959, then attended Cass Tech for 2 years before serving in the United States Army (Reserves) during the Vietnam War. As a young man and into his later years he had such a passion for cars. He loved old classic cars, street rods and corvettes, always reminiscing about the old days, drag racing down telegraph with his buddies and beating them. He also enjoyed being near the water and owned a boat until recently. Gary loved vacationing with his family to places he had never been. To Gary, life was about spending quality time with his family and creating memories. Gary had a long career in contract Food Service Management for over 40 years and for the last 10, owned his own company. Gary spent time after retirement working for his daughter's landscaping company, which he truly enjoyed. He was always meticulous and a real perfectionist in everything he did, especially home improvements and renovations. Gary could make anyone laugh and will be best remembered for having the greatest sense of humor. The only thing that Gary loved more than making people laugh was his wife, children and grandchildren. Gary will be truly missed. Gary is survived by his beloved wife Michele, his children Michael, Catherine (Jesse) Escobedo, Christine (Jason) Gabel, Edward and Aaron; his grandchildren Jacob, Tristan, Joshua and Jayson, his sister Susan (Randy) Lowrey and his mother-in-law Doris Riviera. He is predeceased by his parents Edward and Anne Ankenbrandt, his sister Sally Conn and father-in-law Ernest Riviera. Memorial Service will be on Saturday, November 26th from 10 am until 12 noon followed by a prayer service at A.H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods.