Patrick ‘Big Red’ Verrette

Patrick was born on April 1, 1949, in Iron Mountain, to Edward and Mary Verrette. He was a lifelong resident and graduated from Iron Mountain High School with the class of 1967. He later attended Michigan Tech University.

Patrick married Deena Ozzello on May 12, 1973, and they enjoyed 49 lovely years together and raised three beautiful daughters. Patrick worked with the Iron Mountain Police Department and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department. Afterwards he worked for 30 years at the Niagara Paper Mill (Verso); he retired from there in 2007.

Patrick was a member of SORVA, the Dickinson County Pilots Club, Partenan’s Ringer Club, Dickinson County Bocce League, and Bob and Jerry’s Smear League. He also made pasties for many years at the Masonic Temple and spent Friday afternoons beating all the seniors playing cards at the Iron Mountain Senior Center. He also never lost a cribbage game happily.

He loved destroying the kitchen, making his delicious omelets for his family. He was an avid sports fan, but nothing compared to his love for the Green Bay Packers. Go Pack Go!

Patrick is survived by his wife, Deena Ozzello Verrette; his daughters, Andrea (Jason) Holman, Brenda (Kevin) Brown, and Colleen (Keith) Hoffman. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren who were the light of his life: Emily, Andrew, and Owen Holman, Tiffany, Dakota, Josh and Makenzie Brown, and Helen, Grace and Quinn Hoffman. Patrick was also survived by his brother, Donald Verrette; sisters, Mary (Doug) Sleik and Terese (Tom) Jahnke; brothers-in-law, Stephen (Sandy) Ozzello and William Bachaus; and sister-in-law, Trudy Verrette; as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his favorite partner in crime, Pumpkin.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Verrette and Mary Kennedy Verrette; his father-in-law, Dominic Ozzello and mother-in-law, Helen Remondini Ozzello; as well as his brother, Michael Verrette; his sister, Joanne Verrette Bachaus; and sister-in-law, Paula Verrette.

The family would like to thank all who helped Patrick over the last few years: Arms of Angels, Dr. McMahon, Dr. Funtinella, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Chassis, Dr. Fuchs, Florence Health Services, Fresenius Kidney Care, Neil Johnson and PT staff. They would also like to thank the infusion department at Marshfield Dickinson Hospital.

Visitation will be at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, with Pastor Kevin Sullivan officiating the funeral service at 5 p.m. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Condolences to the family of Patrick Joseph Verrette may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.