August Altese

After 94 years, 176 days, 11 hours and 24 minutes, August (Augie) Altese of 802 Montana Avenue, Gladstone, tallied up his last scorecard. Eyeing the green from his final fairway at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI, with a trusty 3 wood in hand, Augie graciously accepted God’s invite to Heaven’s 19th hole and embraced his new challenge of getting its 50/50 started.
Augie was born February 1, 1922 in Detroit, MI, the first child of Paul and Mary (Gervasi) Altese and the first born on American soil. Detroit was his home; it was where he held his first job (sanding fishing lures at Helin Tackle,) developed his love of golf on Belle Isle’s course, and enjoyed his very first plane ride over the Detroit River. Growing up in Detroit made him a proud, though often disappointed, Lions fan. Of course if you knew Augie, then you already knew that.

He graduated from Northeastern High School in 1940 and enrolled at The University of Michigan. This was a life defining time for him: he played on the freshman football team, (turning his blood maize and blue,) and formed lifelong friendships with classmates. He also met his future wife, Alice Dehlin, in chemistry class. For him it was love at first sight, and he was thrilled when she accepted his invitation to an upcoming dance. His thrill faded a bit when he realized that he didn’t actually know how to dance. Augie embraced college life, participating in dorm activities, writing articles for his dormitory newspaper (sports section of course,) and filming home movies of the numerous antics of his classmates. He kept an orange from his sophomore year that has petrified and was still in his possession after 75 years; we believe it to be the second oldest orange in the world. In 2014, at the age of 92, he returned to the Big House: invited back to play in an alumni football game, he dazzled them as the oldest U of M football player on the field.

During WW II Augie served with the 8th Air Force and 15th Air Force in Europe as navigator on the Milk Wagon and Heaven’s Devils bombers. He successfully completed over 25 missions earning him membership in the “Lucky Bastards” club. While a decorated war veteran, he admitted that on his transatlantic mission from Brazil to Africa, he had trouble finding the continent.
After the war, he returned to U of M, completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1947. Augie then worked as a chemist at Seagram’s, before returning to U of M for his Pharmacy degree in 1953. Reunited with Alice, they were married on June 21, 1953, and made Gladstone their home. Augie worked as a pharmacist at Dehlin Drug Store until his retirement in 1989.

In his spare time he loved to golf, take care of his flower garden, and grow garlic – on occasion even sneaking garlic into his secret cookie recipe. Augie was instrumental in the Gladstone Golf Course expansion from 9 to 18 holes and was given the honor of teeing off in the first foursome to play the full 18 holes. He also helped run the Senior Men’s golf league and livened up the Friday night Fish Fry with various games of chance. In winter, he kept his hands busy with elaborate wood carvings including one that depicted his life story. He enjoyed strolling the streets of Gladstone, recovering lost coins and chatting with long time friends, or perfect strangers, along the way.

Augie was a member of the Braves Fan Club and loved to cheer on his children and grandchildren at their sporting events. He was a member of the Gladstone Recreation board for many years. Augie’s enthusiasm for sports brought the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News to Gladstone so he could keep current on the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Michigan Wolverines.

Survivors include four daughters, Mary Jo (Jan) Lawson of Battle Creek, MI, Susan (Paul Berglund) of Wilmette, IL, Ann of Gladstone and Kathy (Andy) Bragg of Jacksonville, FL; a son, Mike (Melissa) of Ann Arbor, MI; 13 cherished grandchildren, Jana, Nick, Andrew (Shameka) Alyssa, Tara, Anna, Kyle, Sarah (Brandon) August (Lizzy) Paula, Kara, Laura and Maya (Vince) and 9 treasured great grandchildren; Ryan, Cameron, Sean, Sebastian, Amiya, Ethan, Caroline, Charlotte and Alastar; 2 sisters, Rose Isca of Clinton Township, MI and Angie Perazza of Washington, MI, numerous nieces and nephews, countless friends and a few enemies.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Nick, and wife Alice.

Augie’s family will receive friends on Saturday August 6, 2016 from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites conducted by the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 will follow at 12:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow in All Saints Church Parish Hall.
Memorials may be directed to the Gladstone Golf Club, Upper Peninsula Honor Flight, Gladstone Braves Fan Club or University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. Envelopes will be available at All Saints Church or Skradski Family Funeral Homes.