Birth date: Feb 16, 1943 Death date: Dec 12, 2020
Patrick Douglas Packer of Grosse Pointe, Michigan passed away December 12, 2020. He was 77 when he left this Earth. Pat was the first-born child of Fred (“Bud”) and Dorothy (“Dot”) Packer (nee Gaul). He grew up in Detroit and the Read Obituary
Although I knew Pat only briefly, he seemed a kind and thoughtful man. I only wish I’d known him better.
Beautifully done Polly. This is a comprehensive and loving tribute.... thank you. And I can personally attest to Pat playing his guitar with full amps blaring. He woke me up more than once when we both had bedrooms upstairs on Parkland and he thought only he could hear his music. Not! He was pretty darn good, and I'd give anything to have him wake me up again. Come visit us Pat.
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Fun. Even the past 14 months, he was content, at peace and had a strong desire to live. In Oct. of last year, he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease which recently progressed to stage 3. He wasn’t going to stage for, so i guess Covid came first to make his exit sooner. His body became very weak after cont. hospitalizations, but his mind was still sharp. PDP was a warrior, like John Trudeau and Leonard Peltier. He never gave up. He would desire the same for everyone who was honored to know him. He is here with us still.
You can remember him by living your life with pure freedom and love. By playing a variety of musica from Siouxie and the banshees, the clash, Rolling Stones, John prince, Neil young, Dylan to doo wop. He told me several time, “you can play this at my funeral”....a specific john trudell song. But for now, play a song by trudell called it is what it is.
I am gathering his life up and putting it into cherished boxes in GPTE. Please let me know if I can save a momentous or a picture for you.
Life is a cycle. Life is a balance. Yin Yang. Sun Moon.
We had a special delivery when PDP came into our lives in 1943. Tonight, there is something I hope we can all view together under the sky. It is a scene that hasn’t been witness since 1246 or something. If we are lucky, we will see a bright shining star on this winter solstice (Saturn and Jupiter orbiting). A rare occurrence. Once in our lifetime. Just like my dear dad.
*A note of thanks to all who helped my father in every stage of his life. Most recently over the past diabolical year. My sis, Jeannie, all his buddies and P3, whose 46 years of ICU nursing helped me care for my dad cuz we weren’t getting the deserved help/guidance/care from DMC...aka Detroit receiving no care - don’t go there!
Peace to Patrick
Pops always said that life was just a movie. He really was a stellar actor in this life, akin to Cary Grant in my viewpoint. A quirky gentleman whom everyone adored and aspired to be. He was straight from film noir, one of his many passions (Man Ray esque style films and art too) that he discovered more of via the DFT ...Detroit film theater...Dad adored going to the DFT and viewing art on screen. This is where he discovered Pedro Almovadar, a Spanish director, you may know, who had a penchant for creating his films from the female perspective (at times, brutal). Dad was always learning, like and artist. And in turn, he was an uncanny teacher.
Volver (to return), one of my moms fav Pedro films (with his muse Penelope Cruz) was a film i popped into, living in reality with my dad 14 months ago, now. Dad got sick and was in the hospital and I returned to take care of him. He was as headstrong as ever and pushed himself to the core to stay strong. Music, he also said was what kept him alive from a young age. Chuck Berry, Little Richard - doo wop. Great Balls of Fire!, dad had such a collection of 45’s and 33’s to play on his dad’s Werlitzer jukebox back in the day.
He took akin to learning guitar in the 70’s-80’s and played it loud with the amp connection. He also took out his energy playing hockey on a semi semi pro league in Southfield. He got his energy out and skill skated about deflecting many pucks and got skated over once, i recall. He has really lived life like a cat, even though they revolted him, but we still had them BC he wanted to please us. When one passion ended, another grew like a lotus flower. After hockey playing was out of target, he enjoyed traveling throughout MI and Ontario to acquire a plethora of hockey player signatures, several generations wide. I’d never been kissed by Gordie Howe if it wasn’t for dad! Traveling to these events also gave dad the opportunity to visit friends and fam. Poppa P was a true emerald gem!
Dad was an intellectual and many may not know he earned his BA from WMU in English, Jeannie and I agree, he would have made an excellent lawyer defending people. Instead, life directed him to become a model maker BC he was stabbed almost by a student and deterred. Signs. The year after what he called ‘67 Insurrection, he earned his pattern and machinist cert. Still, he remained to be an advocated for the working class. Not sure how long, but he was the union steward at the shop, maybe it was just Astro. We recall him and his briefcase returning home after dark. Like many kids, we didnt see dad in the am. Cuz h left at like 4:30 a.m. in one of his many road warriors. Still, he was such a gentleman and for some time, he would sell treats at his work that I made when i was a teen so i could make some jingles. As well, he filled himself up with so much energy to show his signs of love for us...from building a gargantuan treehouse on Negaunee, camping in the yard or at the Pinery, playing games, sports - being an all around goofball, always with a debonair or classy smile in his eyes. No one else like him. Pure golden heart.
To honor my moms love of the pastoral life (she wanted to be a nun, for reals, in her youth) He sacrificed himself and moved to the farm. Lovely memories. He delved into projects from the animal farm to the Massey Ferguson (I was glad cuz he made me do the push mo...5 acres...), car and woodworking. As well, he made lots of amigos. He was akin to Michael Landon with me, a quiet man with many teachings. He had such a tremendous heart. He 2wouldn’t let this break long after the tragic loss of his Suzy. But, he pulled himself up by his bootstraps and began weaving on the massive loom, kept busy with his pals playing bridge, PB and tennis.
He met the second love of his live online, lady Jeannie, his muse. For the final two years of his existence here with us, he moved to GPTE to be closer to his love. He had developed more
Hey, Pat, thanks for the memories. Will always remember you. Marie Schwanitz
A special man!!!
Susan Higbie
Pat
We made a great Bridge partnership team. Always enjoyed your humor. I still have the $2.00 bill you gave me from our winning game.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Roma +
Pat was my introduction to PB! I was taking tennis lessons in St. Clair with you Polly and you spoke of your dad playing PB. You shared my phone number with your Dad and he called me to explain the game and location for playing. Well, the rest is history. Always enjoyed Pat's presence on the court as it was a lively addition to our play.
My sincere condolences for your loss.
Andy Knapp
