Brian Groleau

ESCANABA – Brian Patrick “Pat” Groleau, 70, of Escanaba, Nahma and St. Jacques, died of an apparent heart attack on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
Born March 20, 1946 in Escanaba, he was a son to the former Jereta Clement and Edward Groleau and was of French-Canadian ancestry. A well-known area resident, Pat worked for many years as administrator for the Hannahville Indian Community, retiring after 28 years with the tribe. He was a veteran of the Michigan National Guard, serving with distinction during the riots in the 1960s in the city of Detroit.

Pat graduated from the Nahma Township School in 1964, after a stellar prep career in basketball, track and cross country sports. For four years he attended then-Lake Superior State College in Sault Ste. Marie where he was a standout basketball player and campus organizer. He was active in Sault-area community sports, most notably summer softball. In 2013, he was indicted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame. Recently, he was named to the LSSU Hall of Fame as an assistant coach.

He is survived by his wife, the former Rose Ann “Dani” Groleau of Escanaba and Nahma, whom he wed on July 25, 1970 at the St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette; their two children, Rochelle “Shelli” Groleau (Bob) Huss of Combined Locks, Wis. and Amber Groleau (Ken) of Escanaba; three brothers, Warren (Christine) Groleau of St. Jacques, Ron (Carolyn) Groleau of Nahma and Joel (Kathy) Groleau of Ensign; a sister-in-law, Edith Groleau of Rochester, Ind.; five grandchildren, Sawyer, Tate, Sofia, Ethan and Jackson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; a best friend, Ivan Nedeau of Escanaba; many other special friends and family members.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; and by a brother, Don Groleau.

A wonderfully devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Pat was an avid hunter, enjoying deer camp each year. He never missed a family event or a grandchild’s school or sporting event. He was so very proud of all of his grandchildrens’ accomplishments. A gifted athlete and coach, he loved being a part of the Nahma community and was a key member of the local coffee klatch held at Uncle Wade’s Sugar Bush. He was a woodworker of considerable skill, building and refurbishing several vintage sleighs.

He was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, University of Michigan football and Michigan State University basketball and the Little Chute Mustangs. He was a staple in the stands at most Little Chute Mustangs games. He was a member of the Big Bay de Noc Booster Club, the Nahma Township Historical Society and the St. Joseph and St. Patrick’s Parish in Escanaba.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Big Bay de Noc Booster Club or the Nahma Township Historical Society.

Pat was someone you could count on. He will be terribly missed.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 2 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the St. Andrew Parish in Nahma. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 PM with Fr. Mariusz Sierhart officiating. A luncheon will be served at the Nahma Township Hall. Pat will be laid to rest in the New Garden Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the Walter W. Cole Rapid River American Legion Post 301.