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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Joseph Philip Stefonich “Bondo Joe”, 77 a resident of Copper City passed away peacefully on Thursday May 27, 2021 at Canal View – Houghton County, with his daughter by his side.
He was born on September 28, 1943 in Copper City to Joseph and Eva (Spelich) Stefonich. He attended Highland Park Schools when he was young and graduated from Hancock High. Joe lived in Highland Park, Mi and Copper City.
Joe was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 where he served in Vietnam, he was honorably discharged in 1969. After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Joe began working at Brad’s Body Shop in Hancock for a few years before owning and operating Joe’s Body Shop in Copper City. He operated Joe’s Body Shop for 20+ years, before going to work at Northern Auto in Hancock where he retired in 2007.
In his younger years, he was an avid baseball player and loved shooting pool. He also enjoyed going on motorcycle rides, snowmobiling, fishing and camping. Often times Joe could be considered the life of the party and enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and his buddies that he served with in Vietnam.
His real passion and hobby was autobody painting and restoration. He loved spending time in the garage and taught his employees all the tricks of the trade.
On August 14, 1993 he was united in marriage to Florence Tanskanen, she preceded him in death in 2008.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Eva Stefonich.
He was a member of the Keweenaw Catholic Community and the Legion in Mohawk.
He is survived by:
His daughter: Tonya (Bryan Mattila) Stefonich of Copper City
His grandchildren: Kali (Nick) Lanctot, Taylor (Joe Held) Kerttu, and Marisa Mattila
His great grandchildren: Kane and Baby Girl Ella
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Father Gracious Pulimoottil to officiate. Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet on Wednesday June 2, 2021 from 1:00 until the time of the service.
Burial will take place in the Calvary Cemetery in AHmeek.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements
