George E. Petaja, 87, of Escanaba passed away Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Christian Park Health Care Center.
He was born September 2, 1922 to Waino
George E. Petaja, 87, of Escanaba passed away Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Christian Park Health Care Center.
He was born September 2, 1922 to Waino
Anonymous
To the family of Mr. P. Although I did not know Mr. P personally, I remember as a teenager, playing hockey in the Escanaba leagues. But more so, Mr. P playing right defense for the Escanaba Hawks, and being what in my eyes was the “enforcer” on the team. My sincere sympmathy for your loss
Kenneth Kositzky
Wayland, MI
It’s obvious from all the lovely tributes here that George was well loved & appreciated. My mom, his Aunt Anita who was also one of his early playmates, always remarked on what a kind & gentle soul he was–a real gem of a guy! May the family take comfort in knowing that the world is a better place for his having been there. May be rest in peace! God bless!
Rozann
Chester, MD
Grandpa George was the kindest man I have ever met. I always looked forward to visiting Escanaba in the summers and during Thanksgiving to eat cucumbers fresh from the garden or succumb to his constant urges of, “Do you want some popcorn? How about some Neapolitan ice cream?” He always saw the good in everyone, and in turn, people see nothing but good in him. May he rest in peace.
Haley Bash
West Branch, MI
The Mark Olson family is very sorry to learn about George Petaga passing away. George worked with Mark in the youth hockey program at the rink by the jr.high building. I, Mike Olson, Mark’s oldest son, played at the water tower rink in George’s program. I APPRECIATE THE Hockey fundamentals George taught us. I was able to go on and play 4 years at Michigan State University for Amo Bessone. (1966-1970). Our sincere condolences to the Petaja Family. Mike Olson.
Mike Olson
Peoria, IL
To the entire Petaja Family~
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May George rest in peace.
Love, Alanna, Mike, Brittany, Bridgette & Connor
Alanna Cope
Boca Raton, FL
I remember george as a 10 year old kid when he ran the outdoor hockey program at the water tower rink back in 1964. He coached and shoveled, refferied and kept the fire going in the warm up shack. It seemed like you could not go to the rink without him there. He was the esky hockey program. Very sorry to see he passed away. I will never forget all he did for us kids back then.
Mike Carlton
Niagara, WI
On behalf of the Gorenchan family we wish to express our deepest sympathy. John & Irene spoke of George often with very fond memories. He will be truly missed but leaves a warm spot in the hearts of people who knew him.
Patti Cousineau
Green Bay, WI
Please accept my condolence on the loss of your dad & grandpa. I remember having lots of fun with him, Burt, Bob & Anita when we were little. He & his mom & dad lived in the Little House behind ours at 609 Isle Royale St., Laurium. He was always so kind & gentle & I loved him very much.
Aunty Eleanore, age 92
Medaryville, IN
I was one of the young hockey players who played when George was running the league. He always made sure we had fun and kept an eye on us when the weather was real cold to make sure we we were not getting frostbite. He was a genuinely nice guy and I always had fond memories of my days at the rink.
Aaron Raack
Aiken, SC
Tom, Lynn and Patti-
So sorry to hear about your dad and want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man who always had a story to share along with many laughs. He was not only a cousin to my dad but also a true friend. God bless and know he and your mom are together again looking down at you.
Linda Nottle – Olson
Marquette, MI
George
Wonderful Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, friend to so manyBlond, blue-blue eyed, handsome Finn Hockey player, pilot, hardworking man Great stories were told with exact names and dates from the 30?s on thru Always there to help a friend
Kind heart, kind eyes, kind soul Found good in everyone and forgave their faults He meant so much too so many and when he left this world on January 29, 2010 he left it a better place because he had been in it And with him he took a part of our hearts which will forever be his Thank you dear Uncle George for all the love, kindness and wonderful memories-Kathleen
Kathleen Kelly
Boca Raton, FL
I grew up exchanging hockey stories with George. He always gave me a smile when I was on the ice rink. I’m a better fan and hockey supporter because of having grown up around him. My prayers are with his family.
Scott Anderson
Wells, MI
Grandpa George was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for. He was always kind and helpful. I will miss him very much!
Heather Robitaille
Lakeland, FL
We are sorry for your father’s passing. I will remember him with his smiling face when he came to all the hockey games, he was a pleasent man.
Glenn & Carol Rudden
Escanaba, MI
Anonymous
To the family of Mr. P. Although I did not know Mr. P personally, I remember as a teenager, playing hockey in the Escanaba leagues. But more so, Mr. P playing right defense for the Escanaba Hawks, and being what in my eyes was the “enforcer” on the team. My sincere sympmathy for your loss
Kenneth Kositzky
Wayland, MI
It’s obvious from all the lovely tributes here that George was well loved & appreciated. My mom, his Aunt Anita who was also one of his early playmates, always remarked on what a kind & gentle soul he was–a real gem of a guy! May the family take comfort in knowing that the world is a better place for his having been there. May be rest in peace! God bless!
Rozann
Chester, MD
Grandpa George was the kindest man I have ever met. I always looked forward to visiting Escanaba in the summers and during Thanksgiving to eat cucumbers fresh from the garden or succumb to his constant urges of, “Do you want some popcorn? How about some Neapolitan ice cream?” He always saw the good in everyone, and in turn, people see nothing but good in him. May he rest in peace.
Haley Bash
West Branch, MI
The Mark Olson family is very sorry to learn about George Petaga passing away. George worked with Mark in the youth hockey program at the rink by the jr.high building. I, Mike Olson, Mark’s oldest son, played at the water tower rink in George’s program. I APPRECIATE THE Hockey fundamentals George taught us. I was able to go on and play 4 years at Michigan State University for Amo Bessone. (1966-1970). Our sincere condolences to the Petaja Family. Mike Olson.
Mike Olson
Peoria, IL
To the entire Petaja Family~
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. May George rest in peace.
Love,
Alanna, Mike, Brittany, Bridgette & Connor
Alanna Cope
Boca Raton, FL
I remember george as a 10 year old kid when he ran the outdoor hockey program at the water tower rink back in 1964. He coached and shoveled, refferied and kept the fire going in the warm up shack. It seemed like you could not go to the rink without him there. He was the esky hockey program. Very sorry to see he passed away. I will never forget all he did for us kids back then.
Mike Carlton
Niagara, WI
On behalf of the Gorenchan family we wish to express our deepest sympathy. John & Irene spoke of George often with very fond memories. He will be truly missed but leaves a warm spot in the hearts of people who knew him.
Patti Cousineau
Green Bay, WI
Please accept my condolence on the loss of your dad & grandpa. I remember having lots of fun with him, Burt, Bob & Anita when we were little. He & his mom & dad lived in the Little House behind ours at 609 Isle Royale St., Laurium. He was always so kind & gentle & I loved him very much.
Aunty Eleanore, age 92
Medaryville, IN
I was one of the young hockey players who played when George was running the league. He always made sure we had fun and kept an eye on us when the weather was real cold to make sure we we were not getting frostbite. He was a genuinely nice guy and I always had fond memories of my days at the rink.
Aaron Raack
Aiken, SC
Tom, Lynn and Patti-
So sorry to hear about your dad and want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man who always had a story to share along with many laughs. He was not only a cousin to my dad but also a true friend. God bless and know he and your mom are together again looking down at you.
Linda Nottle – Olson
Marquette, MI
George
Wonderful Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, friend to so many
Blond, blue-blue eyed, handsome Finn
Hockey player, pilot, hardworking man
Great stories were told with exact names and dates from the 30?s on thru
Always there to help a friend
Kind heart, kind eyes, kind soul
Found good in everyone and forgave their faults
He meant so much too so many and when he left this world on January 29, 2010 he left it a better place because he had been in it
And with him he took a part of our hearts which will forever be his
Thank you dear Uncle George for all the love, kindness and wonderful memories
Kathleen
Kathleen Kelly
Boca Raton, FL
I grew up exchanging hockey stories with George. He always gave me a smile when I was on the ice rink. I’m a better fan and hockey supporter because of having grown up around him. My prayers are with his family.
Scott Anderson
Wells, MI
Grandpa George was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for. He was always kind and helpful. I will miss him very much!
Heather Robitaille
Lakeland, FL
We are sorry for your father’s passing. I will remember him with his smiling face when he came to all the hockey games, he was a pleasent man.
Glenn & Carol Rudden
Escanaba, MI