History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 243

In 1969 Rene DeSeranno was knighted in the Order of Leopold II by the king of
Belgium. On March 27, 1972, he was appointed honorary consul of Belgium for
Michigan. He was the first Flemish American to be knighted in the Order of "'t
Manneke uit de Mane", in Diksmuide October 24, 1976.
The new Belgian Church and the Fr. Taillieu and DeSeranno Residences for senior
citizens are lasting memorials to his generous dedication. He cherished his Flemish
Heritage and was responsible for saving the Gazette van Detroit. Numerous are those
who remember him as a loyal friend and generous benefactor.

Leon Buyse was born in Ingelmunster, West Flanders on June 2, 1905. When his
parents left for the U.S.A. and settled in Detroit, he was raised by his mother's family
in Ledegem. With his brother Robert he came to the U.S.A. in 1920. His father had
died in 1917. Leon attended Our Lady of Sorrows school in Detroit, helped his mother
in the bakery and eventually opened his own bakery with his brother Robert.
During World War II, Leon worked at Briggs Manufacturing Co. (later Chrysler's) until
his retirement at age 60. Before and after his retirement, he also worked for the
Beitzel Calendar Co. The death of his wife in 1975 and his failing health caused him
to move to the Fr. Taillieu Residence in Roseville. He died on March 18, 1982.
People and places fascinated Leon. In Detroit, he became part of the flourishing
cultural and social activities in the Flemish-American community during the years
between the two World Wars. In his youth he joined the "Flandria-America" Soccer
Club, the Flemish Dramatic Club "'t Roosje Bloeit in 't Wilde", making his debut on
stage in 1924, and soon found his way to the printing shop of the "Gazette van
Detroit". There he met Mariette Christiaens, whom he married in 1930. She gave him
two daughters, Delores (Mrs. Arthur Schneider) and Marion (Mrs. Norman Laquerre).
As a member, officer and/or consultant, Leon Buyse helped to form, alter, continue or
influence the progress of Belgian Societies in the Detroit area. He was active in the
Conventions which brought together leaders and delegates from various Flemish
settlements in the U. S. and Canada in 1939-40.
As an author, Leon made his first contributions to the Gazette van Detroit in 1955 with
his series of "Who is Who" in the Belgian community in Detroit. He reported the
minutes and activities of the societies and clubs. He collected and saved many books
and records, programs and minuted, pictures and memorial cards. His "archives"
became a source of information for many an author. His most famous work was F