Obituary: Gerald “Bud” Patrick

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Gerald “Bud” Patrick

Bud Patrick passed away from cancer on Saturday, July 15, at the Omega House in Houghton. 

Bud was born on August 17, 1936 and spent his childhood years in Copper City.  It was during this time he was introduced to two of his life passions – logging and baseball.  He graduated from Calumet High School with the class of 1954.  As a teenager and young adult, Bud worked with his family as a logger but also traveled the country playing and learning baseball which eventually earned him minor league contracts with the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins. 

Bud returned to the Copper Country and logging in 1960.  He worked as a contract logger for 50 years until his retirement.  He also served in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. 

In 1961, he married Carol Winquist.  They resided in Mohawk, enjoying their families and friends in the Keweenaw for the next 62 years. 

He was a hard-working, quiet, and incredibly humble man, yet very funny once you got to know him.  Bud enjoyed time with family, tinkering in the garage, being in the woods, time at the 5 Mile Point Camp, and sports, particularly baseball.  He continued playing, coaching, and watching baseball and hockey throughout his life.  He particularly enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids play baseball and hockey.

Bud is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Glenn (Chris) of Mohawk, and Gregg (Cheryl) of Five Mile Point; grandchildren – Nick (Lauren) Patrick of DePere, WI; Ryan (Cassidy) Patrick of Big Traverse; Jesse (Bailey) Patrick of Mohawk, Allie (Tyler) Froberg of Calumet; Tanya (Tony) Lizzadro of Eagle Harbor; Heidi (Brandon Antilla) Patrick of Marquette; Janne (Heather Renard) Rukamp; Matt (Jordan) Rukamp and Katie (Colton) Vollmer of DePere, WI; sister Nancy (Norm) Mahrley of Brighton, MI; and brother Roger Patrick in Henderson, NV.  Bud and Carol also have many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Nick and Viola Patrick, parents-in-law Art and Alma Winquist, a brother Jim Patrick, and daughter Luanne.

The family wishes to thank the staff at UP Health System – Portage, Omega House, and Portage Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the CLK-TL Little League, Calumet Youth Hockey Fund, or the Omega House.

Per his request, there will be a private ceremony for family.

Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be left for the family