Paul Mackin

Paul E. Mackin, 51, of St. Ignace died Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born in St. Ignace October 7, 1955, to Patrick J. and Therese (nee Fenlon) Mackin. As a youth, he was a member of the Boy Scouts and the first winner of the annual Punt, Pass, and Kick contest. He was class president of his seventh grade class. At LaSalle High School, he was a member of the junior varsity and varsity football team, which won the Class C State Championship in 1973. He was named to the All U.P. team that year, also. He attended the Ursuline Academy through the sixth grade, and was graduated from LaSalle High School in 1974.

Mr. Mackin worked on the Chief Wawatam as a fireman, and sailed the Great Lakes on the Richard J. Reise steamship. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1975 and was stationed on the U.S.S. Detroit in the Mediterranean for two years. He then worked for the State of Michigan for nine years in Lansing.

Mr. Mackin was a published poet of the International Who's Who in Poetry, and the National Library of Poetry of the Best Poems and Poets from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Mackin was proud of his active association with AA. He was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church and was an altar boy serving Father Norbert Landreville and Msgr. Bernard Karol.

Mr. Mackin is survived by his mother, Therese, and stepfather, Ralph Oja, of St. Ignace; his siblings and their families, Diane Waits of Waterford, Patrice Mackin and Eugene Elmer of St. Ignace, Thomas Mackin of Idaho City, Idaho; his step family, Sheri and Mike Gould, Jeff and Linda Fogelsonger, Kathleen and Donald Tamlyn, Cynthia Oja, and Matt and Sheri Oja, all of St. Ignace, and a special uncle and his family, Edward Mackin of Farmington. He was a special uncle to Alex, Lindsey, Catherine, and Laura.

He is preceded in death by his father, Patrick Mackin; a brother-inlaw, Fred Waits, and a nephew, Andrew Waits.

Acelebration of his life was held Friday, August 31, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church with Father Allen Mott, Father Norbert Landreville, and Deacon Don Olmstead officiating.

Pallbearers were fellow teammates and coaches of the 1973 Saints championship football team. They were Jim Ahlich, Ben Brown, Paul Brown, Butch Calcaterra, Jim Everson, Bill Grogan, Tim Huskey, Tom Huskey, Tom Krause, Greg LaTour, Ed Lester, Chuck Pemble, Phil Ruegg, John Smith, Don Tamlyn, Steve Therrian, and coaches Jerry Gallagher, Mike Perry, and Barry Pierson.

Alunch was served at the United Methodist Church following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Ignace Project Hope and Food Pantry or the LMAS Hospice. Envelopes are available at Dodson Funeral Home, which assisted the family.