Peter Seaberg

Peter E. Seaberg, age 90, of Munising, died at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Health early Sunday morning, October 25, 2020.  He was born in Munising to the late Glady Levy and Ernest Seaberg, both of Munising.  His parents separated shortly after Pete was born and he was raised in Munising under the loving care of his grandparents, Peter (Sr.) and Anna Seaberg.  Glady and Ernest went on to remarry and Ernest had three sons, George, Larry and Eric, and Glady had one daughter, Rita Rae Robare.  Pete schooled in Munising at Washington School and then graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School.  While attending high school, Pete joined the Legion Drill and Marching Team where they won many awards (some 1st Place) around the U.P. in parades.  Pete also played in the high school band and was honored to play “Taps” for the WWII dead returning home.  Pete also played with local musician, Bill Bauman and his band, touring the U.P., playing for many dances.  Another local fella was Cab Whitmore, whom Pete played with and continued playing with him while attending college at NMU.

Pete went on to join the U.S. Army and then later attended NMU.  Following that, he spent several years sailing on the Great Lakes freight ships.  Following that time, he returned to Munising and joined the American Legion full time.  He spent many years travelling around the country, playing with the Pat Kelly Trio, playing in places like Toronto, Canada; Florida, by way of Las Vegas, Nevada; Dickenson and Devils Lake, North Dakota.  After many years of roaming the country, he decided to head for home – MUNISING.

Sometime later he happened to go to the Forest Inn, Knotty Club, or Benny’s Bar.  That is when he happened to meet up with his future wife, Sharon Trombly.  They started dating and after awhile he started telling everyone, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.”  Sharon would get home and her mother would be waiting up and ask, “What is this I hear that you are going to get married?”  Sharon would reply, “But Mom, he’s just fun to dance with.”   Little did she know that Pete knew what he was talking about.  They would go on to marry and start their family.

Pete spent quite a few years in sales locally and in Marquette.  He worked for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company in sales.  He then went to work at the Munising Public Schools as a bus driver where he thoroughly enjoyed his passengers and his passengers thoroughly enjoyed Pete.  He continued working for the school as a custodian many years.  Upon retiring, Pete worked for the Pictured Rocks Cruises as a deckhand for 7-8 years.

Pete was a longtime member of the American Legion Honor Guard and of the Munising Vanguard Singers, Alger County’s own local male chorus.  He was also a member of Sacred Heart Church choir and was involved with some local groups, putting on some fun U.S.O. shows along with the Legion and Auxiliary.  He played a great Jack Benny, among other parts, and Pete was usually game for most activities.  Pete was quite a Packer Backer all his life, accumulating quite a bit of Packer treasures.  He had his picture taken at the high school with Bart Starr, while he wore his treasured Paul Horning #5 full length, double breasted warm up coat.  Pete followed his kids in sports over the years, not missing many games.  When the grandkids came along, his age and cold weather kept him away more.  He was a great cribbage player and could be called upon to be a good prankster if needed.

Pete is survived by his loving wife of over fifty-four years – Sharon; sons – Jeff (Kathy) Seaberg of Munising and Bruce (Val Zawislak) Seaberg of Cocoa, FL; grandchildren – Chad (Lisa) Seaberg of Munising, Amanda (Casey) Young of Gladstone, and Troy (Emily) Seaberg of Louisville, KY; two great-grandsons – Cole and Collin; three half-brothers, one half-sister; one sister-in-law Diane and Barry Hoover, one brother-in-law Lee Tannehill, and lots of cousins, nieces and nephews, and many wonderful caring neighbors and true friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, mother and father-in-law Irene and Urban “Tubby” Trombly, sister-in-law Brenda Tannehill, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Joyce Trombly, and many aunts and uncles.

In February, the doctors sent Pete home with a month to live, but Pete had other plans.  He wanted to make it to his 90th birthday, and in the middle of a pandemic in July, he celebrated with family, friends, and cake while the yard was filled with lawn chairs and people stopping by to celebrate.  After that, Pete decided it would be nice to celebrate he and Sharon’s 54th Anniversary in October, and he did.  So peacefully at his home under the loving care of his family, Pete slipped out after last call early Sunday morning.  He would have liked that.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 12:00 noon.  Graveside services will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising following Mass.  Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard.