Rapid River, MI
Robert Joseph “Sunny” Provo, age 85, of Rapid River, MI, passed away Saturday morning November 1, 2014 at the Hospice Home of Northwest Ohio in Toledo, OH.
Bob was born August 13, 1929 in Toledo, OH, the son of Ovid and Ethel (Hill) Provo. Bob was raised in Escanaba where he worked and lived for many years. Bob married Nancy LaFond in 1949. They moved to Maumee, Ohio in 1963 where they raised their 4 children.
Starting at the age of 15 Bob sailed the Great Lakes where he achieved the rank of Third Assistant Engineer. He used this experience to become a boiler inspector in Ohio. He then retired as a Boiler Inspector for the State of Michigan.
Bob was an accomplished hockey player and boxer, winning the UP Golden Gloves feather-weight 1946 championship. He enjoyed cutting wood, yard work, woodworking and rooting for his Packers. Upon returning to Rapid River, Michigan he enjoyed playing cards at the Lions Club and relaxing on his pontoon. But his favorite pastimes were playing cards with his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to Nancy his wife of 65 years, Bob is survived by his children, Mike (Pam) Provo, Marcie (Richie) Kessler, Brian (Debbie) Provo and Mary Jo Studyvin (Bob Hall). He also leaves behind brothers, Butch (Sue) Provo, Jim (Jo Ann) Provo and Gary (Wendy) Provo and four sisters, Marlene Firkus, Betty Carrino, Nancy Lloyd and Donna Carlson. Bob will be fondly remembered by his 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by brothers, Bud and Ed, brother in-laws, Chuck, Connie, Sal, Chas, Glen, and Jack, sister in-laws Linda, Lois and Shirley.
Bob’s family will receive friends and family on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Bob Provo will follow at 5:00 PM with Rev. Fr. Jacek Wtyklo of the St. Charles Catholic Church officiating. Luncheon will be announced at the funeral. Burial will take place on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.
David and Heidi Shope - Rapid River, Mi
Our lawn was the best looking lawn in Rapid River thanks to Bob. He was always so proud of it too. Boiler Bob will be forever in our hearts. Love, David and Heidi, Kari and Jason.
SHARON ZUZGA
ONE OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES OF UNCLE BOB WAS WHEN MY BROTHER GARY AND I WENT BLUEBERRY PICKING WITH HIM AND AUNT NANCY…WE USE TO ASK HIM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A BEAR CAME AND HE SAID….”RUN LIKE HELL AND EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF”…AND THEN HE WOULD LAUGH IN ONLY THE WAY UNCLE BOB COULD DO IT…. I MIGHT ADD GARY AND I WERE ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND WE WERE VERY SCARED..!!!!!
BETTER YET WERE THE STORIES HE WOULD TELL ABOUT NORTH TOWN!! AND AS WE ALL KNOW HE LIVED AT THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LAST STREET!
BUT MOST OF ALL WAS UNCLE BOB’S DEVOTION TO AUNT NANCY… HIS BEST FRIEND, WIFE AND LOVE OF HIS LIFE!!!!
PLEASE KNOW OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND SAD WE ARE NOT THERE.
MAY ALL YOUR MEMORIES KEEP YOU SMILING WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR FATHER, HUSBAND, UNCLE AND FRIEND!!
LOVE SHARON & NEAL