"To the family of Joe?. What a handsome man??did not know him , but my heart breaks for his parents to lose two sons?..hugs and sincere Condolences to your family. ?"
In loving memory of
JOSEPH KEREKES III
March 2, 1970 - January 22, 2021
Joseph Kerekes III, 50, of Marquette, passed away peacefully Friday morning, January 21, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home.
He was born March 2, 1970, in Toledo, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Kathleen (Hubscher) Kerekes. The family relocated to Marquette in his youth and he attended Marquette schools until a couple months into his freshman year, but because of his learning disability, went to the TMI/EMI classes at the Jacobetti Skill Center, graduating from there. While there, he washed cars, cleaned the commons area, visited and took snacks to the residents of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans. But the job he treasured the most was working as an assistant equipment manager for the NMU Hockey Wildcats.
Joe had a deep love of sports and played hockey and baseball in his younger years. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, NMU Wildcats and Marquette Redmen. While working with the NMU Wildcat Hockey Team they won the NCAA hockey championship in 1991, for which he received a championship ring that became his most prized possession. Coach Comely, along with the team, always seen to it that Joe was treated as one of the team. All of them were very special to him. Joe also attended NMU football and basketball games, and went to many concerts, his favorite being AC/DC. He attended three Green Bay Packer home games a year. Joe also went to a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game with his parents and brother, Tony, who passed a month before him. He enjoyed cruising the Westwood Mall and would make his way over to Big Daddy's to watch the Passion Girls perform and order a pizza and a beer. Joe loved going to Bay Cliff for Camp Independence in the summer and winter camps. While there he made many lasting friendships with fellow campers and staff alike. When the camps finished on Sundays and he was picked up he was already to go back next year.
Joe will always be remembered by his family and friends for his good heart and his infectious smile that would light up the room. Although he struggled with a rare muscle disorder, he like his brother Tony, always did his best to adapt and make it work. Not always happy with the changes but accepting them with a smile.
Joe is survived by his parents Joe & Kathy Kerekes of Marquette; siblings, Ken (Shawna) Kerekes, Angela Kerekes, all of Marquette and Cindy (Mike) Collini of Raleigh, NC; he was a proud uncle to, Veda & Quinn Kerekes and McCarty McKie; and aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph & Dorothy Kerekes and Julius & Katherine Hubscher, a sister, Barbara and brother, Tony.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from to 3 pm to 6 pm at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A service may be held at a later date.
Face masks & social distancing will be required.
Joe's family would like to thank all his caregivers, all of the staff at Bay Cliff, all of the medical professionals at U.P. Health System- Marquette, with special thanks to the 4th floor ICU/Step Down doctors and nurses, respiratory technicians, and Dr. Mary Tobin Anderson for all the wonderful care he has received through the years. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joe's name to Bay Cliff Health Camp, P.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808.
Memories of Joe may be shared at canalefuneral.com
Tributes
"Joe and Kathy! I was so sorry to see this, that both of your sons are gone! Sean and I are currently in Texas most of the time, and I don\'t check the news for the UP often enough. Please know that you have my sympathy and prayers. -Vida Tebby"
"I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Joe just a few weeks after his brother Tony. I have nothing but fond memories of both of them growing up on Timber Lane. I never heard Joe complain about his disability, he was just one of the neighborhood kids like the rest of us. "
" Please know I?m thinking and praying for you all! I cherish the fun camp memories I have with the boys! I just wanted to share one with you.... I was helping Joe eat lunch one day and I mentioned that I knew Quinn and Veda. (McCarty wasn?t born yet ;) ) His eyes lit up. He smiled so big and I said ? Oh Joe you must just love them so much!? He?s sweet eyes swelled with tears and I could just see the amount of love he had for them. ?????????? please share hugs with everyone for me! I will continue to pray that your family feels peace during such a hard time!"
"Our sincerest condolences for your loss. The Wildcats lost two huge hockey supporters that will be sorely missed. We recently lost my mom and I expect your boys and her will have a good chat about all the great NMU hockey memory?s. Brad and Candi "
"Joe and Kathy, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your boys. Sending you love. Paul and Cathy"
"I am so sorry for the loss of your sons. They were always so friendly and polite. I always thought that their mom and dad should be admired for their devotion to these boys for so many years."
"Joe and Kathy please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your two boys. I remember them well from their early school days. God bless you and your family. Sam Oslund. "
"Our sympathies to you Kathy, Joe and family. Your boys were so special, I?m sure this will be a huge void for you. Sending our hugs and prayers. "
"I will miss you my brother. Many, many fond memories growing up with three brothers. All the sports we played, many fishing trips with one ending up with a sucker up on a power line. You will be missed, I hope you and Tony are up and walking again"
"Extending to you and your family this heartfelt assurance of deep sympathy, Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education and Employees"
"Joe, I feel honored and blessed to have gotten to meet you and spend time with you through your wonderful sister Cindy. Your smile could light up a room and I always felt a warmth and kindness when I was around you. I will miss watching movies and football with you and you will always hold a special place in my heart. My heart aches for your family and it won\'t be the same without you and Tony around. Someone once told me when you lose someone you gain an Angel...in the case of you and your brother; I truly believe that!? ? God bless, Mike Collini"
"Dear Joe and Kathy, I am so sorry for the loss of Tony and Joe. I always loved seeing them at the NMU hockey games. I\'ll never forget their big smiles. May you be blessed with beautiful memories and everlasting love. Peace be with you, Terry"
"So sorry for your loss. Joe was a fixture at Lakeview Arena. Not very often did you walk through the doors and not see Joe and Tony with those dynamite smiles. Thinking of your family at this difficult time. ??"
"On behalf of Bay Cliff and all of our campers, we would like to thank Joe and his family and friends for their generosity in supporting our work. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."