Robert Braspennickx

NORWAY - Robert P. Braspennickx, 67, of 422 Section St., Norway, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., after a long battle with heart disease. He was born on Dec.15, 1940, in Norway, son to the late Charles and Mema (Pierogostini) Braspennickx. In 1957, his family moved to this area from Detroit. He graduated from Vulcan High School in 1958. After graduation from high school, he served in the United States Navy stationed in China Lake, Calif. He married the former Barbara Sturm on July 10, 1965, at American Martyrs Church in Kingsford and moved to Norway in 1976. He attended and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in 1966 and a masters of arts in education degree in 1969. Bob was a teacher from 1966-1999. For 32 years, he was an art teacher and librarian at Iron Mountain High School. During many of those years, he spent his summers teaching driver's education. He took great pride in his profession and abided by the philosophy that each and every student was unique and special. For years, Bob enjoyed his Monday and Thursday night poker clubs. These clubs included his good friends Gary Sturm, Ron Matonich, Augie Caruso, Paul Gingrass, Jim Pericolosi, Larry Flaminio, Warren Giannunzio, Brian Finnendale, Nick Pietrantonio, Jake Jacobetti, Tom Nash, Cussy Rahoi and the late Jim Petroff. The prides of his life were his children and his grandchildren. He was a hands-on dad and papa and took advantage of every opportunity to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son, Kevin (Maribeth) Braspennickx of Green Bay; his daughter, Kerry Bengtson of Norway; four grandchildren, Bryce and McKenna Braspennickx and Paeyton and Tyler Bengtson; sister, Barbara (Larry) Partanen of Kingsford; mother-in-law, Beatrice Sturm of Kingsford; a brother-in-law, Gary (Lois) Sturm of Kingsford; nieces, Victoria Farrell of Green Bay, Alison Partanen of Eau Claire, Wis.; nephews, Christopher (Susan) Sturm of Kingsford and Gary J. Sturm of Menominee. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Cammy Marie Braspennickx. Visitation will be held today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Parish prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11: a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway. Pall bearers will be Augie Caruso, Jake Jacobetti, Brian Finendale, Larry Flaminio, Harvey Johnson, Ron Matonich, Nick Pietrantonio and Cussy Rahoi. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Pericolosi and Paul Gingrass. Burial will be in the Norway Cemetery. Condolences to the family of Robert Braspennickx can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.