Patrick John Willette

TRAVERSE CITY "" Patrick John Willette, born on Oct. 13, 1948, in Gladstone, Mich., passed away in Traverse City on March 14, 2008.

Pat was graduated from Traverse City Senior High in 1967; the following November he joined the United States Navy, where he served on a supply ship off the coast of Vietnam.

He spent the last 25 years working with his brothers as a house-painter in the Grand Traverse area; hundreds of homes here bear the touch of his sandpaper and brushes.

He is survived and grieved by his mother, Bernadette Willette; by his brothers and sisters, Mike, Dan, Kate, Charlie, Sue, Bob and Bette; and by dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as many friends.

Preceding him in death was his father, Albert Willette.

Though he never had children of his own, Pat stepped in as a surrogate dad more than once when it really mattered.

Pat was generous. As his longtime house mate, Marilyn Whiting, said, "If he had one dollar left in his pocket he would spend it on McDonald's french fries or a candy bar for me, just because he knew I loved them."

He never played sports, but he was devoted to his teams "" the Lions and the Tigers. He liked to take his dog down to the lake, even when it was cold. He drank buttermilk by the glassful, and he enjoyed midnight snacks better than any other meal. He read constantly, but above all he loved to play cards. Easy-going by nature, there was just one thing that was guaranteed to bring out his fierce side: a euchre partner who couldn't hold up his end of the hand.

In the words of Martin Luther King, "Occasionally in life there are moments which cannot be completely explained by words. Their meaning can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart."

We heard that language clearly in the last difficult days of his life. Pat was a humble and quiet person. We loved him, and we know that he would be shocked at the size of the hole his passing has left in all our hearts. Godspeed, dear and gentle soul. We'll miss you.

Arrangements were entrusted to Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.