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Obituary for Gilbert John Gietek
Gilbert (Gil) John Gietek of Grosse Pointe, MI passed away on May 21, 2020. He was survived by his Mom Natalie, his siblings, Sonya (Keith), Amanda (Blake), Wesley (Cari), and Helena (Jeff), his nieces and nephews, Luka, Lola, Meadow, Violet, Lucia, Roland, Jude, Piper, Bennett, and Everly, his father Brian, and countless friends. These people were his world.
When people think of Gil, four things come to mind; his love for his family, his genuine care and compassion for others, his ability to light up any room, and his unwavering optimism.
As the youngest of five children, the birth of Gilbert’s nieces and nephews followed quickly. He became an Uncle for the first time at the age of 12. He grew up alongside the two oldest, Luka and Lola, and often remarked they were just like his brother and sister. His large family was his biggest source of pride. When his youngest niece was born in 2019, he jokingly began referring to himself as, ‘Uncle Gil to the tenth power!’
Gilbert treated all those around him with the closeness of family. You could always expect the first text on your birthday, the first congratulations on an achievement, or the first check in after a hard time from Gilbert. And while he might have always been running late to your birthday gathering, he wouldn’t miss it for the world.
He would always make a point of attending any and all family events, regardless of the occasion. And even when the evenings ended with yelling over boardgames, Gilbert was always happy for one reason: he was with his family. Not once did he leave without a hug and an, ‘I love you,’ for every single person in attendance.
Gilbert lived his life to bring joy to others and his wholehearted compassion was his best quality. He never missed the opportunity to buy lemonade from a lemonade stand. ‘Imagine how excited they must be to make a sale!’ he would say. In looking out for the underdog or those who may be hurting, he was always willing to offer a sympathetic ear. From a very young age, Gilbert would come home and recount stories of a classmate that seemed down and what he had done to try and cheer them up. He treated it as his responsibility to take care of those around him who hurt most.
Perhaps his genuine compassion and love for others is what made him so charming. Perhaps it was the vibrant and boundless joy that radiated from every smile. Or, perhaps it was something simpler. Perhaps it was that he cared about what you cared about, without reservation. He possessed a rare ability to excite in others the passions they themselves were unaware of. His excitement made you believe, not only the words he spoke, but in yourself.
A perpetual optimist, he saw the best in the people and things around him. Even when things were challenging, there was a light in his back pocket, a solution, a plan, hope. When all was lost, he had the map, the snacks, and an attitude that said, ‘I’m in it with you, let’s go.’ He had incredible plans for his life and a desire to accomplish them so passionately one couldn’t help but admire the sheer, towering ambition of his goals. He was unwilling to accept anything less for himself and that infectious optimism made those around him a happier person, simply for hearing it.
Never one to hold back emotion, one of Gil’s last messages was to his favorite person in the whole world, his Mother, Natalie:
‘You are the definition of unconditional love. I couldn’t be me without you. I love you to the moon and back, a million-fold, squared!’
He will be missed both for who he was and for who we all knew he had to potential to become.
A private viewing for family will be held this weekend. A Memorial Service for extended family and friends will be announced at a later date.
In life, Gilbert wanted to be helpful. We can think of no better way than letting his memory serve as a help to someone who shared his interests. A memorial scholarship is being established in Gilbert’s memory to aid in tuition costs for the Grand Circus Software Coding Program in Detroit, MI. Gilbert planned to attend the program in the Fall of 2020.
Donations to the Gilbert Gietek Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made through, Zelle WESLEY @ 313-701-7584 or Venmo Wesley-Gietek @ wesley0314@gmail.com). Checks may also be mailed, payable to Wesley Gietek, 22620 Doremus, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080. All funds will be used to lift up those in need through education.
