Randall "Big Guy" Backoski

BACKOSKI, Randall "Big Guy", age 68 of Swartz Creek, formerly of Grand Rapids, was beamed up on October 8, 2023.  Per Randy's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private Celebration of Life will be held in Grand Rapids.  Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Randy to the Toys for Tots (www.toysfortots.org)

We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead…of all the souls I have encountered, his was the most human…” Captain Kirk

Randy leaves behind his three children, Jason (Jennifer) Backoski, Jeff (Amy) Backoski and Megan Backoski and their mother, June Backoski.  Grandchildren, Julianna and Bennett. Sisters Sue (Claude) Acklin, Beverly (Dennis) Chandler, and the real love of his life, his cat Mystic. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cousins that meant the world to him, as he did to them.

Randy went by many names, including Dad, Big Guy, Santa, White Velvet, Grandpi and Aunt Bethany, just to name a few.

Randy spent most of his life playing Santa Claus for various organizations, with this last stint at the Great Lakes Smoothie Company in Swartz Creek. He had a heart for children and adults and loved bringing a smile to their face. His final act of giving was giving the gift of life through organ donation.

Randy loved old Hollywood movies, especially the horror movies, the cornier the better. He has a vast collection of these movies, to which he often annoyed his kids with watching repeatedly and insisting he was leaving them with his collection in his will! His grandchildren were everything to him. He loved watching “Lost in Space” with his grandson Bennett, and he found so much joy in embarrassing his granddaughter Julianna while she was on stage performing by yelling comments from the audience.

Randy had the worst Dad jokes of all time, with the worst being whenever he was asked how he was feeling he would reply, “with my hands” or how did you sleep “with my eyes closed”…as annoying as those were, they will be missed.

Mr. Backoski was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and M. Marcene (Dingman) Backoski.  Stepmom, Helen and his brother, Bob.

Tributes may be shared  at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Beam me up, Scotty.