Paul R. Marciniak

Paul R. Marciniak, 89 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Born in Middleville, MI on February 12, 1935, he was the son of Sylvester and Lucille (Wahmhoff) Marciniak. He grew up in the Lansing area and was a long time Gaylord resident where he worked for many years as a skilled carpenter for builder Wesley Hunt. 

Paul was a dedicated firefighter and former fire chief with the Otsego County Fire Department serving for 37 years, with 11 of those years as fire chief.

In his spare time, he was an avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed gardening and working around his home. He and his wife, Shirley, enjoyed traveling around the United States. His first love was his family, Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Paul’s Catholic faith was a focus of his life, he was a member of St. Mary Cathedral Parish and Catholic Charismatic Renewal. 

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, whom he married on December 26, 1986, at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord. Also surviving are his children, Christopher (Barb Blanzy) Marciniak, and Janna (Tim) Beckwith of Gaylord; step children, Todd (Nanette Peters of Traverse City, and Dawn (Karl) Stanley of Holland; a son-in-law, Earl (Dawn) Czykoski of Elmira; 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cinda Czykoski; and grandchildren, Tyler Czykoski and Skye Kristen Durand.

One of 19 children, Paul is survived by his siblings Mary Long, Clements Marciniak, James (Ann) Marciniak, Michael Marciniak, Leo Marciniak, Albert (Jan) Marciniak, and Barbara (Alan) Bellows; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Marciniak, Marybelle Marciniak, Patricia Marciniak, and Linda Marciniak: and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by siblings, Lucille Gruhn, Sylvester Marciniak, Clara Marciniak, Joseph Marciniak, Margaret (Rusty) Benner, Edward Marciniak, Helen (Ron) Huntley, Chester Marciniak, Robert Marciniak, Elizabeth Thill, and John (Jan) Marciniak; brothers and sisters-in-law, Arnold Long, Dawn Marciniak, Alice Marciniak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord where visitation with the family will begin at 9:30 AM. A luncheon in the parish hall will follow. A private family interment service will be held Thursday at St. Thomas Cemetery in Elmira.

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Hospice of Michigan, or the Parkinsons Disease Foundation.

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