TRAVERSE CITY - Roman Joseph Brzezinski of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on July 26, 2026 at the age of 79. He was born on May 6, 1947, to Frank and Betty (Popa) Brzezinski, the 6th of 14 children. He grew up on the family farm in Cedar, Michigan, and received his sacraments at Holy Rosary Church.

In the mid-1970s, Roman became a resident of what is now known as BrickWays. With the support of its staff, he learned to live as independently as possible and proudly held many jobs over his 35 years there including: dishwasher at the Grand Traverse Resort; street cleaner on Mackinac Island; office cleaner; assembly worker at Grand Traverse Industries; and employee at McDonald’s. Roman was a model resident and received the Community Mental Health Consumer of the Year Award. Upon “retiring,” Roman moved to The Kennedy House, where he made new friends and enjoyed a slower pace of life.

Roman loved spending time with family, cousins, and friends. He especially enjoyed his birthday bashes hosted by his siblings, along with holiday gatherings, weddings, graduation parties, and the Popa reunions. He enjoyed coloring and watching westerns, especially Gunsmoke. He often talked about doing chores on the family farm, and his full shelf of John Deere collectibles reflected that lifelong connection.

Deeply saddened by his death are his eight sisters: Barbara Poulias, Mary (Mart) Wilcome, Margie Bockheim, Aggie Slager, Theresa (Tim) Bockheim, Janet (Claud Mills), Betty (David) Traines, and Kathy (Curt) Britten; his four brothers: Dick (Linda), Ray/Butch (Nancy), Frank and Ron (Vanessa); their spouses; sister-in-law Debbie (the late Randy) and many nieces and nephews. Also grieving at his passing are his roommates and caregivers at the Kennedy House.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Betty (Popa) Brzezinski; brother Randy; brothers-in-law Louie Bockheim, Bob Slager, and Gerard Poulias; sister-in-law Gerri (Mazurek) Brzezinski; nephews Thomas Brzezinski, Jason and Mitchell Poulias and niece Kristen Brzezinski.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday July 31st at the Holy Rosary Church with the Rosary to be prayed at 7pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday August 1st with visitation beginning at 10 am. Burial will follow Mt Calvary Cemetery. Father Bradley Nursey will serve as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate in Roman’s memory to BrickWays, 935 Barlow Street, Traverse City MI 49686 or www.BrickWays.org Please share condolences with Roman’s family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.