Obituary of David Paul Reiss

David Paul Reiss, age 83, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 26, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

David was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 30, 1939, to Gordon and Ann (Enneking) Reiss.  The family moved from Ohio to Detroit, Michigan where David grew up and went into the welding industry, eventually owning his own business, Alpha Equipment Repair.  He designed and built welding machines and when his dad Gordon viewed a newly created automated welding machine, he proudly commented, “I couldn’t do that. Designing and building a machine that complex isn’t an easy task.”

Outside of his profession, David showed a special interest in aquaponics with a greenhouse at the Lake Esau, Michigan home and countless tomatoes and other veggies plants grown at the Florida home.  Music was really appreciated by David, and he loved just about all of it. With music comes dancing which David started in his early teens as he learned to square dance while assisting a square dance caller teaching adults.  For over 30 years David and his wife, Nancy, enjoyed all types of dancing including Square, Round, Line, and Ballroom.  They were active dancers and spent many nights and weekends honing their passion on the dance floors all over Michigan and Florida.  David was also an animal lover and would playfully speak to all of them: squirrels, rabbits, birds, “Jake the snake”, chipmunks,  geckos, ducks, and the rest.  The neighborhood dogs would often stop by for the treat David had waiting for them. David was also an avid sailor and spent many hours on the water.  David will forever be remembered as a loving, devoted husband, a great father, and a friend that was willing and capable of repairing, or engineering just about anything. 

David was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Ann Reiss and his son, Douglas Reiss. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, his sons Daniel (Margaret) Reiss and Dennis (Cheryl) Reiss, and his sister, Barbara (Gary Davis). Together David and Nancy have 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren who loved to call him Papa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of David Reiss to St. John the Evangelist social outreach fund which supports various projects to help the less fortunate in their community. Click to give online https://www.wesharegiving.org/App/Form/4efaebda-c9d0-4af5-a28e-f448e9525633 Checks can be sent to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera, FL 32940

Visitation

December 27, 2023, 9:30am

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 280 E Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085

 

Funeral

December 27, 2023, 10am

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 280 E Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085

(248) 879-1310

 

Internment

Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48038

 

Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.