Patrick William Hoeksema, a resident of Lyon Township, passed from this life on October 4, 2020 at the age of 51.
Patrick (Pat) was the loving husband of Tara and cherished father of Colin, 17, and Nathan, 13. He was the dear son of Gary and Evelyn and brother of Mark (Laurie) and Tim (Robert Schoof). He was the son-in-law of Larry Willett, and brother-in-law of Cory and Karen Willett. He was the loving uncle to Blake and Kirsten Hoeksema, and Madison, Isaac, Isabel, Lilly and Abe Willett.
Pat had a culinary degree and Computer Aided Design (CAD) degree, and spent his entire career at Edwards Glass Company in Livonia, MI. He was a longtime coach for the South Lyon Junior Baseball League and the South Lyon Rec Intramural Basketball team. His passion in life was golfing. His best times were on the course with Ian Corrunker, Tony Bunting and Chris Laycock. His music tastes were very specific, mostly limited to Primus and Rush. Pat’s favorite author throughout life was Clive Cussler, and he would eagerly anticipate new releases.
In Pat’s self-written eulogy, he refers to the meaning of life. “We as a family decided to take the trips, the walks, the hikes, the bike rides. I enjoyed all of the little things because that is what we will be left with. Memories of times spent just being together. Whether it’s a golf weekend with the fellas, a walk around the neighborhood, or bike riding through Kensington. Even enjoying a quiet dinner with Tara and the boys, eating dinner and playing trivia. That’s the gold. It doesn’t have to be living life to the fullest like climbing mountains or jumping out of a plane. It is just about being with people you love and respect. That’s a full life.”
When referencing his cancer journey, Pat wrote, “It didn’t occur to me to ask “why me” or “this isn’t fair.” Those are defeatist thoughts and from the moment that surgeon burst into my hospital room at 7 a.m. and dropped that bomb on me, I decided that was not the way this was going to go down. I was going to listen to the advice of my doctor and accept all the side effects with my head held high and ready to take on the battles. Obstacles are placed in front of all of us, some large, some small. But meeting obstacles with strength, medicine and knowledge were my weapons of choice.” Pat kept his supporters up-to-date on his medical progress and ended each passage with the message to “Be Kind.” These are words we can all live by.
He will be enormously missed by so many, but his bright light and positivity will be carried on by his sons, his family and all of those who loved him.
A memorial gathering for family and close family friends took place on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Keehn-Griffin Funeral Home, 706 W. Main Street, Brighton.
Share a “Memorial Tribute” with the family at keehngriffinfuneralhome.com
