Michael Anthony Patete, age 84 of Mentor, passed away on December 10th, 2020 at David Simpson Hospice House of the Western Reserve surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 22, 1936 in Cleveland to the late Michael Anthony and Marie (nee Lindic) Patete.
Mike worked at Heinen’s Supermarket for 37 years. Upon his retirement, Mike started his fishing guide service which lasted over 20 years. Fishing was his joy! The love of the water came from the days as a child fishing with his father on Lake Erie. He did most of his fishing on Lake Chautauqua, New York, where he was well known as “Muskie Mike”. After winning fisherman of the year by Fishing Facts Magazine, Mike also was asked to be a guest on the Al Linder’s show. It was filmed on Lake Chautauqua Lake in 1976. Mike also started Northeastern Ohio Fishing Association, which was one of the first fishing clubs in Northeast Ohio.
Mike and Joleen were “Snow Birds” where he continued fishing off the back of his deck behind their home on the canal in Fort Myers, Florida. Mike was also a true-nature lover and conservationist. One of his favorite things to do was to sit with his wife Joleen on their Florida sun porch and photograph unique wildlife on the canal.
Michael was the loving husband to Joleen (nee Duffy) Patete for 66 years; dearest father of Michele Patete, Michael (Stephanie) Patete III, Timothy (Karen) Patete, Robert Patete, and Margo (Daryl) Williams; brother of Marion (Tony-deceased) Azzarello and Ronald Patete; doting grandfather of Jennifer, Melissa (Jim), Maggie (Matt), Melinda (Karl), Laurie, Ryan (Ashley), Chad (Sam), Alisha (Jeff), Chris (Jessie), Vince (Jamie), Abby (Dan), Claire (Sal); great grandfather of sixteen, and one soon to be great great granddaughter; dearly loved uncle of three nephews, four nieces, and five great-nieces and one great great niece; loving brother in law of Dodie (Chick-deceased) Ottman, Jim (Sally) Duffy and Patty (Pat-deceased) Duffy.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in care of Michael A. Patete to David Simpson Hospice House, 300 East 185th Street, Cleveland OH 44119. Toward a bench to overlook The Lake.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled and posted at a later date. Dad requested that it be a warm sunny day. He will be “Fishing in the Sky”, Dad will be greatly missed by all that knew him. “We Love You Dad”
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral and Cremation Services.
Reader interactions
10 Replies to “Michael Anthony Patete”
Such an amazing man. I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mr. P is now with his father and all his loving family and friends in a wonderful place. He is missed here on earth.
So very sorry for your loss. He was a very quite and gentle man. He will be truly missed by all however rejoice that he now knows no pain and watches over all waiting to be reunited someday.
Wonderful , loving, thoughtful comments on a great person!
Hi Dad, How’s the fishing going? God I miss you so much. It just doesn’t seem fair that you’re gone. We had so much stuff to do yet. But don’t worry I’ll take care of everything. Watch over us. Don’t worry about Mom will be taking good care of her. Remember I love you and I’ll talk to you later!
I will never forget my first snowball fight with my Grandpa Mike. I hit him square in the middle of both of his eyes, and I remember saying sorry so many times and he just laughed and said; “great shot”! Grandma Joleen was videoing it on one of those vintage recorders. Grandpa also took me on my first deep sea fishing trip when I visited them in Florida. I caught 11 fish that day; my lucky number.
My Aunt Margo was also visiting in Florida then, and I remember driving down the highway on our way to the “Legion Club” where there was an enormous sitting Buddha statue just off the highway that I just had to take a picture with. My grandpa, the “amazing man” that he was turned around just for me! He boosted both my Aunt Margo and I up, so that we could pull ourselves up and reach the statue for that “Kodac” moment way before social media. I remember laughing so hard barely able to snap the perfect picture, but we got lots, and I will never forget the biggest smile on my Grandpa’s face just giggling at us, and joking with how we would manage getting down.
Grandpa you made me feel so loved every time I was with you. It felt like I had always been there, and you had a way of making me feel like I never missed out on anything; even though I did…
I will never forget your smile, the sound of your voice, and the way you looked at my Grandma Joleen.
I know you will always be with me and I thank you for for giving me the most beautiful, close, and loving family a girl could ever ask for.
Soar high with the many angels above and continue to watch over us.
We didn’t get to say goodbye, but that’s okay because I’ve always been terrible at goodbye’s. Pretty sure it runs in the family. I don’t think there was ever a time that I left you without shedding a lot of tears and that’s because I loved you so…
I will always remember your smile, your laugh, the sound of your voice, and the way you looked at Grandma.
I am beyond sad to say goodbye for now, but I know in my heart you are always near. I am eternally grateful and I love you forever.
I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m at a loss for words. How do you express the loss of someone so special to you in so many words? I adopted Mike as a surrogate dad. He tolerated my constant crashing of family events. Always had a smile for me that was infectious. His advice was sound and reliable. I was fortunate enough to glean fishing tips and techniques firsthand. Family man is an understatement. We will miss you. Please accept my condolences.
Unforgetable just a wonderful and caring man that was Michael.
Im at such a loss reading these wonderful messages…Grandpa you have by now called Grandma home with that AMAZING power of LOVE and COMMITMENT to her. I always knew you were awesome! We weren’t ready tho. We miss you, and are hurting even through the knowledge that its “best”. 38 days later I’m still staying strong. Exactly what you told me to do. Thank you for reminding of your letter “L” for LOVE. YOURE BOTH MISSED TERRIBLY, YET IM JOYFUL YOURE TOGETHER ❤
Your dad took me ,my husband, and our four little kids out on his boat on Lake Chitauqa (he would have rather been fishing ) So kind So patient
Because of your dad we fell in love with Lake Chitauqa and returned to their peaceful Lake house for long weekends.
Your parents Loved Us, and We Loved them
You guys were/are their EVERYTHING
PEACE and LOVE
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