Paul Gottfrid Baij

Paul Gottfrid Baij, age 69, of Munising, died at his home on Monday morning, November 25, 2024 under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice. He was born on June 14, 1955 in Marquette, Michigan to the late Harold and Pearl (Merrill) Baij. When Paul was two years old, his mother died, and he and his sister, Tina, were raised with help from Grandma Anna Baij. Harold married Violet “Vi” McLaughlin and the family was raised in Munising. Paul graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1973 and had kept close contact with many of his classmates. He attended school at Northern Michigan University and then hitchhiked across the country in the 70’s spending time in Hollywood, California and Phoenix, Arizona. Paul returned to Munising and began employment at Kimberly Clark. He enjoyed working in the yard and with the heavy equipment. Paul retired in December of 2013. He was set up on a blind date with Kathy Maxon after a friend convinced her he was a good guy. Kathy agreed with the friend about him, and they were married on May 18, 1985. Paul was a proud stockholder of the Green Bay Packers and was a lifelong fan who passed down his love of “Go Pack Go” to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed time at camp, bird hunting, and deer hunting with his family. Paul loved the outdoors and instilled his passion for hunting and the respect of hunter’s safety in many young people. He walked up and down Cemetery Hill for thousands of miles and when he no longer walked the road, he walked the trails around his property. Paul was kind and never said a bad word about anyone. He loved to talk and visit with friends and strangers. Paul was supportive of his kids and grandkids and could be summed up with the three words of: football, hunting and family. 

 He is survived by his wife of over thirty-nine years – Kathy Baij of Munising; children – Rhiannon Singer of Munising, Zach (Cassy) Baij of Ishpeming, Molly (Paul Ramsey) Baij of Munising, and Anna (Brent) Brock of Negaunee; grandchildren – Nicholas Singer, Kahlan Ramsey, Leo Baij, Quinn Ramsey, and Jaina Baij; nephew – Jason Bonevelle; and Dean and Mary Thorrington who were like a brother and sister to Paul for decades. Paul was preceded in death by his parent – Harold, Pearl, and Violet Baij; sister – Tina Baij, and brother – Mark Charles Baij.

A memorial gathering and prayers will be announced at a later date.