Russell ‘Pete’ Paquette

He leaves behind his faithful wife, Vien; daughter, Alicia; grandsons Jet and Quinn; sisters, Rae Louise Matson (Hubbell), Susan Paquette (Lake Linden), and Sarah Paquette (Shawano); nephews, Charles Matson (Lake Linden), Terry Matson (Detroit), Peter Matson (Hubbell), Neil Maiers (Texas), and nieces, Elizabeth Pollins (Arizona) and Irene Hebein (Shawano).

Pete was born on October 16, 1940, in Lake Linden. In his youth, he participated in the Boy Scouts as a troop leader. Pete attended and graduated Lake Linden Hubbell High School class of 1958, while working for his father, Russ, who owned and operated Deep Rock Gas Station “The Blinker Light” in Lake Linden. Pete graduated from Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1962 with a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering.

At MTU, Pete was a proud member of the independents club and ROTC. As an avid downhill skier, he was also a member of MTU ski patrol. Pete spent much of his life bowling, participating on innumerable leagues, a passion that was passed down to his daughter, Alicia.

Pete moved to California in 1962. He conducted research in Germany, Canada, and the Philippines, earning a Master’s in engineering during this time. Pete held various positions in the aerospace industry on the West Coast with companies such as Jet Propulsion Labs, General Test Labs, Boeing and NASA. Pete wore his personalized NASA jacket even to his last days.

In 2001, Pete married the love of his life, Vien. Their years together living on Decker Way were filled with love, caring and nurturing. They enjoyed spending holidays with family in Sacramento, trips to Vien’s native country Vietnam, visits from their grandsons and occasional visits to Pete’s native Copper County, but only in the summer!

In his retirement, Pete enjoyed reading, watching sports, gardening, and being a crossing guard for a nearby elementary school. Pete poured his heart into his work and anyone who knew him was touched by his selflessness and mild temperament. Even though Pete was a man of few words, he was always willing to support and care for his loved ones through acts of service.

Pete is preceded in death by his father, Russell Henry Paquette, in 1991, and mother, Alice Eva Paquette, in 2021.

Tribute services in San Jose California will be held on January 19, 2022 at the Darling Fischer Garden Chapel with a Funeral Mass at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church on January 20, followed by internment on January 27 at Calvary Cemetery.