Calcaterra Funeral Home

Rowland, who served as vice president of retail delivery for the Farmington Hills Mich.-based credit union, passed away suddenly on Friday afternoon.He was 51.“The entire Community Choice team is profoundly saddened by this loss. Rodger was a charismatic and passionate leader and will be deeply missed,” CCCU said in a prepared statement Monday. “Rodger had been with Community Choice Credit Union since May 2016.”In her online tribute, Brittany Twining, a CCCU personal advisor, wrote that she knew Rowland for a brief time, but he left such an imprint on her life.“He was not only a great guy but a wonderful leader and mentor,” Twining wrote. “I will deeply miss his sense of humor, kind words and encouragement.”CCCU Retail Leader Samantha Lowe wrote in her online tribute that the world is going to be a little less bright without Rodger’s sunshine.“Not only was he an impactful mentor, he was truly a great friend and lived out the philosophy of people heling people,” Lowe wrote. “He took personal interest in the lives that he touched and joined me in the ‘Hi, I’m [insert name here], I give hugs!’ club at the credit union.”Moreover, dozens of his former co-workers at banks Rowland worked for also paid tribute to the impact he made on their lives.Before joining CCCU, Rowland worked for Comerica Bank, Huntington Bank, Citizens Bank and FirstMerit Bank primarily in the southeastern Michigan markets.He is survived by his wife, Meg, of 27 years, children, Tory and Brett, his mother, Rita and sister, Rochelle Chapman.Visitation will be at the Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons Funeral Home at 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. in Shelby Township on Wednesday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made in Rowland’s name to Painted Wings, paintedwings.org, a Clinton Township, Mich.-based non-profit foundation, which supports public awareness and research for sudden unexpected infant death syndrome. (Credit Union Times)

Clair Shores will become a street party and classic car showcase Wednesday evening for the annual Shorewood Kiwanis Harper Charity Cruise.About 60,000 vintage vehicle aficionados are expected to line Harper Avenue from Old Eight Mile Road to north of Martin Road from 5-9 p.m. to enjoy a close-up look at the procession of American-made muscle cars, hot rods and wheeled contraptions.“All of St. Clair Shores turns out in droves and has a blast,” said Karen Biofara of Shorewood Kiwanis, who serves co-chair of the event along with Rosanne Minne. “There is no judging or entry fee, and everyone is welcome.”Shorewood Kiwanis has hosted the cruise since 2005 and donates its proceeds to area charities such as CARE of Southeastern Michigan, Wigs 4 Kids, Lakeshore Family YMCA, St. Clair Shores Cultural Committee and the Macomb Chamber Music Society.AdvertisementAccording to Dana DeCoster of the Cruis’News, the Harper Cruise is more intimate and “up-close-and-personal” than some of the other cruises, so spectators receive a better look at the cars.Dr. Carl Papa, a dentist who organizes the cruise, said it’s the only local charity-driven cruise.“This is all going back to the kids of the community,” he said. “That is what Kiwanis is about -- servicing the community one child at a time.”Numerous businesses will host outdoor parties with live music and displays.New this year is Get Loud for the Crowd with Roy O’Brien Ford. The dealership will be at the Kmart parking lot at Nine Mile Road, presenting prizes for the loudest car, truck, and loudest open header. There also be a food truck from Lakeland Manor Catering in the parking lot.There will be official cruise T-shirts on sale for $15. While some businesses along Harper will hold private gatherings, more than 30 businesses will host open parties. Those include: Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home; Best Stop Automotive, Bombshell Bridal Boutique, Certified Motors, Dairy Queen, DeRonne True Value Hardware, Embree Sign, Erma’s Original Frozen Custard, Forton’s Mower Services, George’s Auto Parts, Great... (The Macomb Daily)