Philip E. Patenaude, our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, age 67, of West Bloomfield, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison.
He was born on November 6, 1955 in Appleton, WI, the son of the late Joseph and Kathleen (Schwalbach)Patenaude. Phil served his country in the US Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Phil worked as a Journeyman steamfitter throughout the area for the UA Local 400 (formerly the 458).
On September 21, 1991, Phil married Jean Witte in Appleton at their beautiful backyard wedding where he, of course, got on stage and played harmonica with the band.
Phil enjoyed playing the harmonica, loved music, and going to see live performances, especially those of his nieces and nephews. He was known for doing open mic nights and would take the opportunity to get on stage with any band that would allow it. He enjoyed doing metal fabrication work and created many beautiful pieces of art. He also enjoyed the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corp. He and Jean were known for hosting a yearly gathering of the “CanoGeezers”, an alumni group of the Americanos. Most importantly, Phil enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved his wife, daughter, his grandsons, siblings, nieces, and nephews dearly and took every opportunity to be with them. Phil was known to strike up a conversation and befriend just about anyone he met. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and perpetual positive outlook, even when he was very ill, toward the end of his life.
Phil is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jean; his daughter, Jess (Drew) Fleek; two grandsons, Silas and Owen; a sister, Patty Saatkamp; four brothers, Jim, Paul (Peter Hoff), Dan (Jeanne) and Jerry Patenaude; two brothers-in-law, Arnie Peterson and Bob Witte; three sisters-in-law, Jean Patenaude, Anne (Jim) Olsen and Sue (Bruce Klubertanz) Witte; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Tom, Bill and Steve Patenaude, two sisters, Kati Peterson and Joanne Patenaude; a brother-in-law, Fred Saatkamp, and a sister-in-law, Mary(Burg)Patenaude.
A Memorial Service followed by military rites will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Lewin Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Fremont. Pastor Nancy Zorn Micke will officiate. Visitation will be held at Lewin Funeral Home on Saturday, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.