August 7, 1939 – October 17, 2024
Richard “Wayne” Paré age 85 went to his “real home”; as he called it, to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 17, 2024. He lived his life to the fullest and knew to expect the unexpected. He will be deeply missed and remembered for many things, but mostly for the fierce love he had for his family. His greatest earthly joy and gifts from God were his family: children Michael (Angela) Paré, Susan (Mike) Prins, Lisa (Ted) TenBrink, Stacey (Mark E) Paré-Malcolm; grandchildren Ashlee (Steven) Storrs, Olivia (Eric) Rosendall, Amber Tift, Sam Fabiano, Ryan Tift, Adam Paré, Taylor ( Jackie) Prins, Ginger (Peter) Herman, Zach Tenbrink (Paul), Dakota Bankston, Lacey Bankston (Tyler), Austin TenBrink, Brandon (Callie) Robb, Shane Robb, Ian Malcolm, Thomas Malcolm; greatgrandchildren Marina, Frank, Skylar, Stella, Braxton, Claudia, Elias, McKenna, Amora, Fitz, Sylvia, Oliver, Archer, Isaac, Kalina. He is also survived by the mother of all four children and ex-wife of 33 years, Barbara Paré-Charpentier; brother, Gregg (Barbara) Paré; and many nieces and nephews. Those already in Heaven who prepared for his arrival are his parents Walter and Olive Paré; brothers Tom, Brad, Brian; nephew, Todd Paré; grandparents Dalphice (Pipi) and Adeline (Mimi) Paré and Arthur and Marie Gignac.
Wayne was born in 1939 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He had a happy childhood. He enjoyed playing and getting into mischief with his four brothers, lovingly referred as a “team.” In 1950, his parents moved the family to the United States of America. Wayne and his brothers rode in the back of their truck trailer loaded with furnishings. His brothers sat in dresser drawers and a sofa, and his seat was in the washing machine basin. They settled in the Detroit area where he took a job at a grocery store and quickly moved up the ladder as store manager.
He attended Lincoln High School where he met his first wife. He was actively involved in drama and music, even getting a lead role in a play. After high school, he married Barbara and began raising a family. They lived in Detroit, relocated to Grand Rapids, and later, in Northport. He held many jobs as a traveling salesman where he honed in his skills: Gallo, Canada Dry, Leelanau Wine Cellars, Cox Distributing, Charter Cable, and Restore Inc.
He loved working hard, but also loved to play hard with his children. He coached sports for his kids, rode motorcycles, biked, skied, hiked, kayaked, and took many adventurous family trips to tropical and wilderness locations. He loved the outdoors. He also enjoyed playing family and partner games, especially euchre. He would say “I can teach you, but it will take a lifetime to learn the skill to be a good player.”
His passion for music lived inside him throughout his life; he enjoyed playing the harmonica and the guitar with his oldest daughter and would sing karaoke at every opportunity. He was a beautiful songwriter and enthusiastic storyteller. He recounted great, wild, hilarious, and unbelievably true stories that often included his long-time best friend, John “Shoe” Schuchardt. He was an amazing artist, creating unique works of art from “twig work,” benches, birdhouses, and carvings, which he enjoyed gifting to family and friends.
He was often referred to as “Mr. Michigan” because of his extensive knowledge about the state he loved. Driving and exploring its beautiful sights was his favorite activity; down every road he would give a history lesson. His fondest place of all was his home on the lake in Grand Traverse County. He became a “fixture” at Brady‘s Bar, Rounds, and Randy’s Diner, where he formed close bonds with his gift of gab. He was the light in the room and the life of the party. He will be greatly missed. His memory will live on in songs, rivers, mountains, games, stories, and in the hearts of his family and friends.
A private memorial was held for family and close friends. Per Wayne’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville. com in their online guestbook.
