WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the needs of our community and the world around us, and take action to address those needs. Please consider visiting our club or joining us on a service project.

All Are Welcome!

Member Spotlight, Featuring Pat Zucal and Bill Friske

January 08, 2025

The first meeting in 2025 was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and a meditative thought by Greg Greene, followed by the singing of My Eyes Have Seen the Glory in memory of President Jimmy Carter. 

President Dave Stechholz announced that the Rotary Club of Leamington nominated Scott Collier as District Governor Nominee-Designate. (Scott would be DG in 2027-28) chosen by the District 6400 Nominating Committee. DG Nick Krayacich has received an Official Challenge from another candidate, Therese Maggioncalda, of the Rotary Passport Club. A Board of Directors meeting was called after our regular meeting to discuss this and make a recommendation. 

Remember to check the sign up section at the end of the minutes to sign up for the Livonia All Stars VS the Red Wings Alumni Charity Hockey Game, at the Eddie Edgar Arena on 1/26/25 from 11:00-1:00 PM. Also, note that Forgotten Harvest will be Saturday, 2/8/25, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

Our program is Member Spotlight featuring Bill Friske and Pat Zucal.

Pat Zucal was born in Detroit, the second of 4 children. He was the only boy. All his siblings lve in the area. He went to two Parochial schools which have closed. He graduated from Bentley H.S. which also closed and is now where the Rec Center is located. Is there something with Pat and schools? Pat went to Schoolcraft College and then EMU. He went on to work for ACE in the sales office in 1981. Pat talked briefly how printing has changed since when he started. He got married in 1983, had 2 kids, a boy and a girl. Five guys were in the office, but printing had changed, and he decided to go off on his own.

Pat's Dad was a long-time Rotary member of the Livonia Noon Club. His Dad loved to sing, "Heart of my Heart" being his favorite. Pat joined our club in 2010. Pat enjoys golf and played hockey in his 20s and 30s. He likes classic rock. When he worked in the office, he could take vacations but was unable to do that when he was the only one in the office. Pat is looking to sell his business and clients this year. We closed Pat's talk by spelling his last name. Pat is known as the fun governor of our club.

Bill Friske was born in Redford. He went to school at Wayne State University, where he met Rose, his wife. He and Rose were studying Chemical Engineering. Halfway through his education, he decided he wanted to be self-employed and not go into engineering but he was committed to finishing his degree. They got married while still in school, and Rose got pregnant. They brought their baby to class so their friends could see their new child. While still in school, Bill started a janitorial company at age 22, and Rose was a stay-at-home Mom doing the books.

Bill's business grew to 75 employees. Bill was working all the time,day and night. He decided something had to change. His customers were asking if he could renovate restrooms, paint, or do handyman repairs. So he decided to give up janitorial work and become a maintenance general contractor. 

When Bill was in second grade, his teacher asked him to befriend a new student and they became best friends. His friend said he had to leave school because he was in a foster home and they were moving. His friend asked Bill to ask his Mom if she would adopt him which Bill's Mom did. Bill's Mom was a teacher at the Methodist Children's Home for much of her career and had 5 kids of their own.

When Bill got into his mid-40s, he started running. He joined a running club and within a year he went from not running to running in the Free Press Marathon. Then in 2013, he ran his 8th Free Press Marathon and the NYC Marathon. That same year, Bill turned 50 and ran a solo 50-mile run (50@50). When he came to the end of 50 miler, there was his family, including in-laws, cheered him on. His family had never done that before, so it was special.

Bill likes to camp, and before the family comes up north to the primitive camp, Bill goes alone for three days on a solo camping trip.

Bill said you can't drag him away from Rotary, it's where he grew real friends outside of family. Bill has been president twice, Paul Harris Fellow +2. He developed all the technology for Zoom meetings during COVID. He's also in charge of the newsletter. Bill has also attended all H.S. reunions.

The meeting ended with Greg Greene's jokes.jj

Susan Paluchniak

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Senior Center Complex

15218 Farmington Road

Livonia, MI 48154

Every Wednesday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

All Are Welcome!