Cyril "Cy" Juroff, Jr.

Cyril “Cy” Juroff, Jr., born March 25, 1930 in Detroit to loving parents Cyril Sr. & Annie Juroff, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on February 23rd in Northville. Beloved husband of 49 years to the late Sharon. Loving father of Kenneth Juroff, Diane Kenny, Brian (Jennifer) Juroff and Karen (Steven) Rann. Proud papa of Sarah, Katherine, Carly, Riann, Andrew and Taylor. Great-papa of Amirra, Amare and Ambe.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Thursday, February 27th, 3:00-8:00 P.M.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Kenneth Catholic Church 14951 Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Friday, February 28th at 10:30 A.M. Friends may visit at church beginning at 10:00 A.M. until time of the Mass.

Private interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Cy lived his life with kindness, humor, humility and faith. A gentleman to all, he loved his friends, a perfect Manhattan, Quarter Pounders with cheese, a good bridge game and chocolate sodas from Guernsey’s. His resilience was remarkable, and he firmly believed that 90% of what we worry about in life never comes true, so why bother?

Professional life
Cy grew up in Detroit with his parents and sister, Charlotte. After graduating Cass Tech, he attended Wayne State University and worked side by side with his father in the family grocery business. As his own family grew, he worked in sales at NCR Corporation until he and a coworker decided to form their own technology business, National Data Systems. They were ahead of their time – developing their own software and programming mainframe computers to provide managed payroll services for small businesses and municipalities. Cy worked hard yet made time to be home every night for family dinner.

After his retirement, he started a second career as a tax preparer with H&R Block. Over 15 years he built a large client base and experienced record-numbers of return customers each year because of his kind, direct, and honest service. He wrapped up this part of his career journey after the 2007 tax season when his Sharon needed more care.

Family life
There was no role Cy took more seriously than that of husband, father, son and friend. He met his beloved Sharon on a ski trip to Sun Valley and they married on October 10, 1959. They welcomed their first son, Ken a year later, followed by Diane, Brian and Karen – each two years apart. He made the family waffles and bacon every Sunday before Mass – a tradition his kids continue.

He was a devoted son. He ate lunch with his mom and dad every Wednesday and devotedly took care of them through their final days. He inherited his love of gardening from both parents.

He cherished his wife Sharon. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, including accompanying her with the grocery shopping so that she wouldn’t have to carry any bags. He was committed to her care in her final years as Parkinson’s Disease weakened her. While some of those days were challenging, on any given evening you could peer through a window and see him holding her up while they danced together.

He instilled a love of sports in all his children. He was the Little League coach kids hoped to get, he played countless hours of catch and basketball in the front yard, and he was a forever fan of the Detroit Tigers and Michigan Wolverines. He was no stranger to sorrow, however, as he was an ardent Detroit Lions fan as well. His only regret in life was not seeing the Lions make the Superbowl.

He loved hosting holidays and was famous for preparing Macedonian specialties of kababshina, peppers, and apple bonitza. He would greet his guests at the door with a smile and a question, “Can I get you a high ball?”

In his later years, Cy relished his role as Grandpa – or Papa as they call him. Countless memories of cider and donuts, sleepovers, watching movies, playing chess, and attending baseball games and dance recitals. He crafted handmade Christmas ornament for each grandchild that were the stars of his Christmas tree each year.

Just 6 days before Cy passed, he said that he was the luckiest man in the world. He was a rock in our life that held us steady. While it will feel different as he holds us strong from heaven’s reach, he is at peace and we can all be grateful for his life well lived.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Cyril Juroff, Jr. to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, 30400 Telegraph Road - Suite 150, Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025 or online at www.parkinsonmi.org

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.