OAK PARK, Mich.—Thomas Bliznick, a former materials engineer at Ford Motor Co., died earlier this year at the age of 80.
He attended Lawrence Institute of Technology, before starting to work for Ford. Bliznick worked at the auto maker for more than 55 years, retiring in 2018 at the age of 78. He was a materials engineer at Ford's Central Lab in Dearborn, Mich., and was a member of United Auto Workers Local 1970.
Larry Strauss of Rubber Process Management said he and Bliznick became friends when Bliznick represented Ford at the Detroit Rubber Group. He said Bliznick was very active in the union, and "Tom surely tested more rubber products for Ford than anyone."
"He would navigate me around Detroit and Dearborn, and point out Ford factories and their histories," Strauss said. "Or he would know the best cheap but good ethnic restaurants. He also showed me some of the oldest ethnic Catholic churches in Detroit."
Memorial contributions can be made to CRS-Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, Md. 21201.