With family by his side on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
Survived by his loving wife Audrey (nee Young). Proud father of his girls; Laurie Poirier (Gérard), Sherri Crosato (Frank), Tracy Porco (Tony) and Jacquie Barbeau (Marc). Adoring Papa of Nathan (Teresa), Melissa (A.J.), Aline (Josh), Guy (Jessica), Kay (Greg), Miranda (Jonathan), Liza (Adam), Maggie (Dacian) and Isaac. Loving Great Papa of Gigi, Ava, Anthony, Colin, Anthony, Audrey, Simon, Emma, Logen, Esther, Maverick, Solomon, Elijah and Andie. Special friend to Mark Turpin.
Youngest son of the late Marko and Mara Pavelich. Predeceased by Emil (Aino), Marion (Rose/Bruna), Anna Kermend (Joseph), John (Susan), Mary Bachmeier (Tony), Margaret Nikkinen (Wesley) and Helen Hillstrom (Donald). Uncle to many.
Dad was the youngest son of Croatian immigrants Marko and Mara. One of 8 children, he grew up on Brule Road on the family farm (now Crimson Ridge), where he put in many hours of hard work. If you knew him, you knew his potato stories. As a youngster he would go to market with his father to sell produce. His childhood stories surrounded this beautiful acreage, playing in the water falls, sleeping in the hayfield, his love of animals and horsing around in the barn.
His hard work ethic carried over when he got hired in his lifetime job at Great Lakes Power and became a systems operator.
It is here that he became a champion cribbage player, a skill he passed on to his daughters. Mom and dad played cards until recent days. At Great Lakes Power he made lasting friendships. After retirement he and mom moved to Goulais River for 11 years only to return back to the Sault.
Dad was so proud of his family, especially all his grands and great grands. His face lit up when he spoke of them. He was known to all 9 grands and 14 great grands as Papa. His woodworking talent, old stories, bad jokes, love of dancing with mom, cribbage skills and ear wiggling will stay with us all forever.
We will never drive past a farm field that’s been freshly turned without hearing, “looks like good soil!”
The big farmer’s hand will always be holding our hand. Papa’s legacy will live on.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of Tunnel Lake at Extendicare Maple View.
A Memorial Service will be announced in the spring of 2025.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation Cancer Care Fund or a charity of your choice.
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com. to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).