"Extending to you and your family this heartfelt assurance of deep sympathy, Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education and Employees"
In loving memory of
RICHARD M. PAQUETTE SR.
May 15, 1934 - June 8, 2019
Richard M. Dick Paquette, Sr., 85, of Marquette, died peacefully Saturday morning, June 8, 2019 at his home, surrounded by family and under the care of UP Home Health & Hospice.
Richard was born on May 15, 1934 in Marquette, a son of the late Emil Poker and Mary (Novak) Paquette and was a lifelong Marquette resident. On August 1, 1953 he married the former Marilyn Babe Billings at St. Johns Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on October 12, 2014.
A 1952 graduate of Graveraet High School, Richard played football all four years and in his senior year, was selected for the Great Lakes All Star football team as defensive tackle. On offense, he led interference for ball carriers on end or off tackle power plays.
Richard was employed with the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad retiring as an engineer in 1997.
He was an avid woodsman enjoying hunting, fishing and trapping. He knew his way around the woods in every capacity. In the fall he would pick mushrooms to make his Slovak mushroom soup always served on Christmas Eve. Richard additionally liked to bake bread, cook and even built his family home and all of its additions over the years.
Survivors include 8 children, Robin (Sam) Garrow , Richard Paquette, Jr. and Michael (Lynn) Paquette, all of Marquette, Pamela Paquette-Hayes (Donald Hayes) of Odessa, TX, Cathy Paquette of Marquette, Jon (Cheryl Carilli) Paquette of Negaunee, Lori Paquette of Marquette, and Ramon (Leigh Gervae) Paquette of Virginia; 17 grandchildren, Karie (Jason) Reese, Kristie Reynolds, Todd Reynolds, Angela (Mike) Sjolund, Tyler Paquette, Hallie Paquette, Jessica Paquette-Jensen, Nicole Paquette-Karmo, D.J. Hayes, Fawn Bresette-Clary (Don Clary), Racheal Paquette, Kaleigh (David) Windham, Raeney Paquette, Eliza Paquette, Joshua Brugman, Ashlee Brugman, Bridget Paquette, Sarah Paquette and Riccardo Paquette; 19 great grandchildren, Chelsie (Jared Mister) Reynolds, Kayla (Joe) Aikins, Kalob Reynolds, Trevor Slinkard, Greyson Paquette, Caden Paquette, Amara Jensen, Kesha Grobar, Elijah Karmo, Jada Karmo, McKenzie Hayes, Rylan Hayes, Cathlyn Bresette, Kylan Alfaro-Bresette, Marilyn Clary, Donald Clary, Xavier Paquette, Persephone Stevens-Williams, Leonardo Paquette; 4 great, great grandchildren, Kingston Reynolds, Kennedy Mister, Knightly Mister, and Anna Aikins; 1 brother, Bruce (Jean) Paquette of Marquette; two sisters-in-law, Lois (Carl) St. Onge of Marquette and Jean (Eldon) Contois of Skandia; also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents and his wife, Babe, was a brother, Emil Paquette, Jr., his wife Debra, and a great grandson, Kenton Karmo.
A private family graveside service will take place in Northland Chapel Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to U.P. Home Health and Hospice, 1125 W. Ridge St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mr. Paquettes memory.
A popular Slovak toast which Richard was very fond of was, na zdravie (to your health).
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Paquette family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"Thank you for the kind memory of our Dad. Cathy Paquette"
"Thank you Loie for the kind memory of our Dad. Cathy"
"So sorry to hear of Uncle Dick's passing. I have a lot of great memories of when I was younger sitting in their kitchen visiting with Auntie Bubb's and Uncle Dick. Rest in peace. Na zdravie."
"I met Dick Paquette on a trip to Marquette to meet his entire family! Richard introduced me to everyone, but when I met him, it was love at first site. You showed me how to cook some of your favorite breakfast dishes and for the first time in such a long time I felt like I had a real Dad again! You even got this city girl to try Venison! How wonderful it was to see you and Marilyn dance after so many years of marriage. That's how I'll remember you, dancing across Heaven together! May the Angels smile as you dance among the stars! God Bless! Loie Johnson"
"You taught me how to pick raspberries, showed me which were the sweetest. Taught me which vegetables were the ripest, and showed me that deer died for the family. You laughed at me when I started smoking cigarettes, and I hear that chuckle now. Ill see you and grandma when I get there, and well laugh and talk in all the ways I remember. Ill miss you for the rest of my life, but youll be there in my memory. Always there to comfort form far away, as you always have."
"I have known Dick or shall I say he has known me since I was a baby. The Malvasio's and Paquettes have a very long history. It's sad that we all must go at sometime In our lives. Dick lived a long life and has made great memories iteites for friends and family. I know him, bubs and Sheila are drinking brandy together again. My deepest heartfelt condolences to the family. I love you all and will cherish the memories of our families intertwining. Love Michel (aka Missy)"
"I knew Dick from the time I was a little boy when my father would take me to work with him on the train and Dick was the engineer . As little boys do I ask him lots of questions mostly about how to be an engineer and he would answer every one in his quite voice that made me feel he cared about my every word . Low and behold 20 some years later I was back setting in a locomotive with dick asking some of the same question I ask as a boy....except I was the engineer and he was my teacher and he show me how to do it the right way..and it stuck with me for the rest of my career . It is a honor to have known such a man and to call him my friend......travel well "polecat""
"My grandpa in love in memory. I will say he is a very strong and strong hatred man. He loves his brandy. He loved to go out side an smoke. He loved to watch his old tv shows. He loved solving crossword puzzles, in the news paper or even in the only book in the bathroom. I knew he drove a train that is now out where people can see. I can say when i see it my grandpa was on that train. The tomtom poll in the back yard is a big family memory as well. He loved sleeping in his chair with he's feet up. We would wonder if he's doing his crossword watching his show or sleep we love him. He will be missed by a lot of people the most his family. Now he is with my grandma happy again as he was on earth. I love you, we love you watch over us the both of you hugs and kisses."
"Ricco, I love this! Especially the "only book in the bathroom" Love you, Fawn"