Leopoldus "Leo" Varela, Sr.

Mr. Leopoldus "Leo" Varela, Sr., age 74, died Saturday evening, February 2, 2008. He was born April 26, 1933 in Pompeii, MI to Martin and Juanita (Martinez) Varela and had resided in the Muskegon area most of his life. Mr. Varela worked for C.W.C. Textron for 47 years before retiring in 1998 and had been an entrepreneur in the real estate business. Throughout his lifetime, he belonged to several Catholic parishes. On June 26, 1952 he married the former Maria Esperanza"Hope" Galvan in Muskegon. He was very devoted to raising his 8 children and providing them with a Catholic education. Mr. Varela also devoted many years to community services. SURVIVORS include 8 children, Christine (Gregory) Patricio, Sr. of Norton Shores, Leopoldus (Mary Kay) Varela, Jr. of Redondo Beach, California, Rudy (Judy) Varela of Farmington Hills, Anita (Bill Wilson) Varela of Muskegon, Mary (Michael) Fawley of Torrance, California, Michael (Joan) Varela of Norton Shores, Robert (Pam) Varela of Mattawan, MI, Mark Varela of Norton Shores; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, John Varela of Fort Lauderdale, FL; sister, Margarita (Freddie) Marquez of Saginaw; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Tina Moreno. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Bartolo and Joseph; 7 sisters, Infant Dolores, Ascension, Alicia, Mary, Dora, Delores, and Rita. THE FUNERAL LITURGY will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Michael Olson presiding. VISITATION with the family will be from 6-8 PM Thursday and 2-4 & 6-8 PM Friday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210 with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 PM. Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery. MEMORIALS to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church will be appreciated.