Roy Edward Figurski

Roy Edward Figurski, legendary Grosse Pointe hairdresser, aged 77, died quietly at home on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024. His death is attributed to complications from aggressive treatment for recently diagnosed Lymphoma. Best friend and loving companion of 41 years, Brian Clay Collins, and their beloved English Cocker Spaniel Helen, were alone with him at the end.

Roy was born May 29, 1947 in Women's Hospital, Detroit. He was one of four surviving children of Edward R. and Marion H. (Krause) Figurski. When he was eight years old, the family moved from Detroit to St. Clair Shores in 1955. Roy graduated from Lakeview High School in the class of 1965 where he had particularly excelled in the creative arts as a talented sculptor and fashion illustrator.

Roy studied engineering at the University of Detroit prior to being inducted into the U.S. Army in August of 1968. During basic training he gained additional instruction for driving 7-ton armored personnel carriers (APC's) and reached marksman level for M-14 and sharpshooter level for M-16 firearm handling. Roy was sent to Vietnam in March of 1969 to join the American Division, Troop C, 1st Squadron of the division's 1st Cavalry. He attained the rank of Armor Reconnaissance Specialist 5. During his military service, Roy was hospitalized twice. First was for an injury sustained during basic training and the second was for serious injury when, while in a jungle reconnaissance convoy, his APC struck a landmine which sent it airborne, landing upside down. He was the only survivor of the four personnel assigned to that APC. After release from the hospital, he returned to his unit, and was reassigned as Troop Clerk where his efforts earned the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. Additional honors awarded during Roy's military experience were the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2 overseas service bars), the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. Roy was honorably discharged in March of 1970.

On his return home, Roy resolved that, after experiencing such examples of horrific death, deprivation and destruction while serving overseas, he had earned the right to a future career in the creative arts and to devote his talents and prodigious energies to the pursuit of all things related to beauty. Learning that Wisconsin had among the highest licensing standards in the nation for hairdressers he enrolled, in November of 1970, in the American Beauty College of Milwaukee located in the famed Plankinton Building in that city. On completing his studies successfully in September of 1971, he was immediately hired by Bonwit Teller & Co. to join the beauty salon in their department store located in the John Hancock building in Chicago. During his employment at Bonwit's he took additional independent course instruction from the Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell companies. Roy reminisced that the instruction by Paul Mitchell himself was among the best money that he ever spent and credited his own success largely to techniques learned during that time. Although he savored his time in Chicago, his family kept encouraging him to return 'home'. He stated that the only way he'd return to stay would be if Leon Sehoyan, owner of the famed Grosse Pointe Salon "Leon's", would hire him. When Leon enthusiastically hired Roy in September of 1972, he commenced his long career at Leon's and, subsequently, Salon 76. Roy loved his work and spent very long hours through the decades building and maintaining his well-respected reputation where he was best known for his excellent haircuts and expertise in hair color and streaks. His technique never veered from 'pulling' streaks through a cap for the best possible results even though contemporary theory is for the much faster use of foil. Roy's professionalism and calm demeanor was also highly regarded and sought after by brides and their bridal parties. He sent many a blushing bride down the aisle with a classic chignon often enhanced by strategic placement of fresh stephanotis blossoms. He was gratified to associate with, and to be trusted by, many prominent families, to consult on their wedding plans and, often, provide his services for their out of town as well as out of state events. His fashion and beauty artistry garnered three special appearances on the "Dr. Sonya Friedman Show" on WXYZ Channel 7 and earned the attention of other media outlets.

Even in recent 'semi-retirement' years, Roy continued to work from home and counted among his clientele a number that had been coming to him throughout his 52-year career. His interest in, and long experience with, all things related to fashion and design afforded opportunities to provide a welcomed wealth of advice to his clients, family and friends guiding, reassuring and addressing questions about wardrobe, hair, make-up, skin care, health, social customs, etiquette, dining venues, travel destinations, shopping, home entertaining and even laundry and house cleaning! Always 'best-dressed' himself, Roy was also often successful with the perfect quip ("My duty is your beauty"!) or barb, while always being thoroughly warm, gracious, funny, generous, honest, intuitive, confident and gentlemanly in the extreme. His amazing life, strong work ethic and wide-ranging influences have aptly been described as the "Roy Era". Sadly, that era has ended and the unique likes of him will truly never appear again. Roy's signature fashion style, beauty expertise, kindness, wisdom and friendship will forever be cherished by all those who were fortunate to know and love him.

Roy and Brian met in 1983 at a Kentucky Derby Day party, so that the second Saturday of May each year thereafter they always considered their 'anniversary'. They swiftly became best friends and grew to exemplify a perfect example of yin-yang in a loving companionship. Subsequently, they established a home together in Grosse Pointe where they remained in residence for more than 34 years before relocating to, and totally remodeling, a circa 1937 home in Grosse Pointe Farms in 2019. In 1990 they purchased a circa 1878 six-bedroom Victorian cottage, that they named 'Three Seasons', in the Chautauqua community of Bay View, MI near Petoskey. Through the following 32 years they renovated the cottage, filling it with fine furnishings, eclectic antiques and valuable vintage collectibles. They generously shared their 'other place' with friends and family and became particularly known for their annual July 3rd buffet holiday dinner party which numbered up to, on one occasion, 140 guests. The two enjoyed more than four decades together, sharing their lives and homes with a succession of English Cocker Spaniels named, in turn, Molly, Irma, Edith and, currently, Helen. They enjoyed traveling far and wide including, in recent years, three European river cruises and an extensive 'bucket list' tour of England.

During Roy's military service in Vietnam he was exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. Seventeen years later, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, as a result of that exposure. The accepted treatment at that time included radical surgery and brutal radiation. Though he survived the disease, he ever thereafter lived with health issues which were related to the radiation that he had received. Recently, dreaded cancer returned when Roy was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Aggressive chemo infusion treatments commenced immediately. Six infusions were planned to be administered over an 18-week period though he tolerated only two infusions. A Pseudomonas bacterial infection overtook his compromised immune system and lungs that bore damage from the radiation of 37 years ago. Strong antibiotics were administered to no avail. Roy returned to his beloved home with Hospice oversight and reveled in visits by, mainly, family members who were able to express to him in word and touch, their loving devotion to him.

Roy was pre-deceased by his parents, infant brother Robert and his only sister, Karen Strnad. He is survived by his brothers Martin (Nancy) and Brian (Frances). Nieces and nephews, as well as grands and great-grands, plus many loving cousins and the extended Collins family will all miss him dearly. Particular thanks are extended, from Brian Collins, to Heart to Heart Hospice as well as 'helping angels' Renee (Strnad) and David Centorbi, Diane Woolsey and Kathryn Nurre.

Memorial tributes in Roy's honor may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or ASPCA. A waterfront memorial service with military honors will be held, followed by a celebration of life luncheon, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial at 10:00 am on Friday, August 2nd.

Arrangements entrusted to Charles Verheyden, Inc., Grosse Pointe Park. Share a memory at verheyden.org