Gregory Allen Haverkate

Munising

Gregory Allen “Havs” Haverkate, age 54, of Munising, died on Saturday evening, January 13, 2018, at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer.  Greg was born on August 2, 1963, in Munising, Michigan, to Richard and Shirley (Paquette) Haverkate.  He grew up in Munising, raised by his parents Shirley and Paul Petosky.  As a youngster, Greg was active in the Awana Club at the Munising Baptist Church and in youth programs at the Munising Wesleyan Church.  During high school, Havs participated in band, was active in many extra-curricular and academic events, and was a member of the National Honor Society.  Havs played freshman, junior varsity, and varsity football for the Munising Mustangs and was a proud member of the 1980 Class C State Championship Munising football team.  Greg graduated from Munising High School in 1981 and then attended Northern Michigan University.  Many people remember him for his lengthy employment at Hub’s Super Valu. When the Sault Tribe casino opened in Christmas, Greg joined their surveillance team in 1994, working both jobs until Hub’s closed in 2001. Greg enjoyed sports and worked the score clock and kept stats for many of the Munising Mustang events.   He especially loved refereeing high school football and enjoyed working with his uncle and close friend, Dee Jay Paquette, and their crew.  Greg loved vegetable gardening and did very well with the expert advice of Hilltop Road neighbors Bernice and Carl Johnson.  He was a passionate Green Bay Packers fan and nearly everything was put on hold while the Green and Gold were on the field.  Greg was a successful deer hunter and cherished spending time with his grandfather, uncles, brothers, and cousins in the “Sap Shack” on Hilltop Road.  He loved the holidays - not so much for himself, but for the joy they brought to everyone else.  Greg was a loving and good son, and rarely has there been a more loyal bond like the one between him and his mother.

Greg’s family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff of the Munising Tribal Health Center for the many years of wonderful care, and they extend their heart-felt gratitude to Northwoods Home Care and Hospice for helping Greg pass through his final days with peace in the comfort of his own home.

Greg is survived by his parents – Shirley and Paul Petosky of Munising; sisters and brothers – Laurie (Kevin) Pine of Wetmore, Rick Haverkate (Thomas Engelberger) of Washington, DC, Kris (Alice) Petosky of Munising, and Jodi Petosky (Chris Falk) of DePere, WI; nieces and nephews – Hillary Pine (Nick Roberts), Courtney Petosky, Hailee Petosky, CJ Petosky, and Cayden Falk; aunts and uncles – Joe (Lee) Paquette, Bonnie Masters, Gail (Dave) Cromell, Dee Jay (Heidi) Paquette, Ted (Violet) Haverkate, Harriet (Stan) Carpenter, Robert (Cindy) Haverkate, and Joyce Haverkate (Zac Vanderschyf); one last great-aunt – Pearl Perry; and numerous cousins.   Greg was preceded in death by his father Richard Haverkate; grandparents - Joseph and Arvilla (Perry) Paquette, Theodore and Stacia Haverkate, Erma Underwood, and Hazel and Frank Petosky; and uncle Howie Masters.

Greg’s celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at the Munising Tribal Center (the Old Lincoln School). Please use the M-28 entrance.  Visiting time with family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  The service will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a traditional Native drum and then Rev. Paul Kelto will conduct the service.   There will be a fellowship gathering following Greg’s memorial service with more time for visiting with his family.