Carl Tenuta
Age - 95
November 27, 2023
Carl Robert Tenuta of Waterford passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023 at the wonderful age of 95. Carl was among many things, a storyteller and so this is a story about his long and beautiful life. We hope you take the time to read it and that it brings a smile to your face and inspires you to reach new accomplishments beyond what you thought you could achieve. Carl was proud to be the oldest sibling to John, Pete, Louis, Rosemary and Joanne. Born to Amalia K. Belsito Tenuta (who came from the people of Sant' Ippolito region of Italy) and Michele Emilio Tenuta (who came from the people of the Cosenza of the Calabria region of Italy). (Family history was important to him and he would encourage you to research it!) He adored his parents whom he held in the highest honor as role models in his life. They ran a family owned grocery store in Pontiac which taught him a strong moral and work ethic early in life. Carl had a passion for God, Family and Country and would freely and easily converse with you about any and all of his opinions on these subjects! He was an active member of St. Michael's Church in Pontiac his whole life. His passion for his faith in God was evident by how he treated others and how he loved the Lord. He was a peacemaker and a voice of reason in otherwise stressful or difficult situations. Carl attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and then joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country in the Tank Division in Texas. Carl loved learning and teaching. So much so that he earned three Masters Degrees! He put them to use by teaching for several years in various schools. Carl had a huge heart and was involved with people in many benevolent ways. Visiting the sick, driving people to appointments or church, providing food for families at the holidays, giving gift bags at Christmas and Easter. He was quite an inspiration as a brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher and director. His personality was so "even keel" until he got behind a microphone or on a stage, then BOOM! You better be ready for the performance of your life because whether he was acting, singing, reciting a poem or giving a speech; he would deliver! If there were a play written about him, Carl would be the leading actor of the production, "Life is Great"! That's just the type of optimism he carried with him. He undeniably loved the theater! He was an early member of Pontiac Theatre IV to which he acted, directed and produced countless productions for nearly 50 years! He also started The Carl Tenuta Scholarship for members of PTIV in 2019. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. Even in his last days, hoping to perform in the wonderful Christmas show at Fox Manor at Lourdes with his friends and music director Laurie. He was practicing the poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer and singing "O' Come Let Us Adore Him" (even once in Latin!) in the hospital to be ready for that performance. Carl was a great storyteller who entertained us with stories from his life experiences. He would engage you into the story by asking you to guess the chain of events which of course, would make you pay attention to the story! Family was so vitally important to him and leading the Family Reunion Committee was a big job that he took seriously by having meetings and sending reminders that ensured a good turn out. His love for family certainly extended to his great nephews and nieces and their families, too. Throughout the years he attended many sporting events, theater productions, recitals and graduations to cheer them on. He was always encouraging and interested in the endeavors of others. We truly thought Carl would live to be100, he thought he would live to be 105! Though God had other plans, we are truly blessed to have had this sweet man with his warm smile and wonderful optimism in our lives. Carl is survived by his siblings Rosemary Landry, Joanne (brother-in-law Bud) Hadden and his sister-in-law, Shirley Tenuta; many nephews & nieces and their families, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Michele and Amalia Tenuta, siblings Louis, Pete, John and his sister in law Vicki Tenuta and brother in law Roger Landry. May he be reunited with all of his loved ones that have gone before him and to the almighty God whom he had a passion for and great faith in. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 3:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. with a rosary at 7:00 p. m. at Coats Funeral Home 8909 Dixie Hwy, Clarkston, MI 48348. The funeral service will take place on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 11:00 a. m. (in-state 10:30 a. m. ) at St. Michael's Church (also known as St. Damien of Molokai) 120 Lewis St. , Pontiac, MI 48342.
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