Obituary: Douglas Vettori

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

     Douglas Vettori, 79, a well-known contractor and resident of Hancock passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024, at UP Health Systems – Marquette Hospital following a short illness.

     He was born on June 24, 1944, in Hancock, Michigan, a son of the late Geno and Geraldine (White) Vettori. Doug was raised in Painesdale and Hancock and attended the Hancock Schools.

     On May 27, 1978, he was united in marriage to the former Kathleen Niemi. The couple had resided in Hancock where they raised their family.

     As a young man, Doug began driving trucks for his father’s construction business. He then worked at the Painesdale Mine as a miner and skip lift operator. For most of his life he worked in construction; first as a drywaller for various companies in Detroit and then locally. In 1991, with wife Kathy they formed Doug Vettori Contracting, Inc., which they owned and operated until his retirement in 2022.

     Doug had many interests over the years; riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. In the mornings, he made his rounds, first for his coffee conference at Dave’s Hancock Service and then to the Suomi Restaurant for his Liar’s Association conference breakfast.

     Doug was an avid hockey fan. He played hockey himself; he enjoyed watching his son Andy and then his grandsons and great-grandson. He also was a Detroit Red Wings fan. Recently he became involved in going to and enjoying Great Granddaughter Adrianna’s basketball games.

     Doug enjoyed dancing with Kathy at the old Midway Bar, weddings, and the yard at the cottage. Their relationship began with polka dancing and they often received compliments from people watching them dance. Country music was his favorite – Waylon, Willie and the Boys, George Jones and many others.

     Doug’s favorite place was their cottage in Misery Bay, which they purchased in 1986. The camp was in rough shape and Kathy said you either needed a match or Doug to fix it. Doug worked on the “camp” and made it a beautiful cottage, which was freely shared with his beloved family and friends with his motto: “The more the merrier.”

     Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Geno and Geraldine Vettori 

     Surviving are: His wife: Kathleen Vettori of Hancock; His children: Lisa (Russell) Kyllonen of Dollar Bay, Gina (Clint) Fredianelli of Dollar Bay, Andrew Stansbury of Toivola Tracy (Tim) Pierner of Hancock; His grandchildren: Nichole (Brady) McCloskey, Isaac (Carla) Kyllonen, Vickie Kyllonen, Michael (Amanda) Vettori, Evan (Jen) Miner, Kailin Ponnikas, Brian Ponnikas, Emilie Pierner and Jax Pierner; His Great grandchildren: Anthony (Pauline) McCloskey, Kazimir (Ellie) McCloskey, Aelah McCloskey, Gabe Vettori, Anabelle Vettori, Geno Vettori, Jacob Miner, Amber Flaherty and William Flaherty, Jayla Kyllonen, Adrianna Kyllonen, Roland Kyllonen, Briella Kyllonen, and Ryver Kyllonen; His Great Great grandchild: Russell McCloskey; His sister and brother: Patricia (Ken) Linna of Hancock David Vettori of Houghton; And numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

A time to remember Doug and share memories will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel.

To view Doug’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net

The Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.