Paul
Paul E. “Pete” Cary
Pete passed away Friday, January 27, 2017 surrounded by his family at the Wings Home in Allegan.
He was born May 10, 1924 in Allegan the son of Harry and Jennie (Barton) Cary. He served his country in the US Army 82
nd
Airborne Division during WWII and was part of the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Market Garden. Pete celebrated his 21
st
birthday in Paris on the day the war ended.
He had worked at Michigan Cottage Cheese for 25 years, owned and operated Skogmos Department Store and Bernea Foods until his retirement in 1986. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and playing cards. Pete was a life member of the Otsego Elks Lodge and the Otsego VFW Post #3030. On June 6, 1948 he married Mary Jane “Bunny” Cummings who passed away in 2015.
Surviving are his children, Christine (David) Hicks of Springfield, IL, Peter (Laura) Cary of Otsego and Kevin (Melissa) Cary of Cedar Springs; granddaughter, Helena Cary of Rockford; brother, Ronald (Lee) Cary of Otsego and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings, Maxine Branch and Harry Cary.
Friends may visit with Pete’s family from 6-8 P.M., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego where a funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego.
Military Honors by Otsego VFW Post #3030.
Contributions in memory of Pete may be made to
Wings Home of Allegan
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Paul E. “Pete” Cary
Condolence Messages
Tim and Marcia Quigley
January 27, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Rest in Peace, dear Pete! We shall always remember you being at the Elks and playing cards! You always had a smile for everyone! Prayers to all of the family!
Reply
Norm Bensel
January 28, 2017 at 7:06 am
Dear Pete and Laura, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Both you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.
Reply
Bob Miles
January 28, 2017 at 9:11 pm
“Oh” Pete Cary I had many many great times with Pete. Pete was one of the good guys in Otsego. Playing cards, playing golf. drinking beer or just setting down and talking with Pete was always a fun time. Pete will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Pete, Kevin and Chris
Reply
Patricia "Leonard" Clingenpeel
January 29, 2017 at 4:27 am
My condolences to the Family.
I remember Pete & Bunny from my youth growing up in Otsego.
As a young girl, any money I made, I made a bee-line down
to Skogmos to buy a skirt or dress. Pete & Bunny always
made me feel comfortable while in there shopping.
Then when I worked at Leons Restaurant, I used to wait
on them there.
Both Pete & Bunny were the nicest people.
Just about a week ago, I pointed out the old Skogmos to
my son & told him, now THERE was here we bought our clothes.
God has taken home one of his Angels.
God Bless his Family……………….
Reply
Fred and June
January 29, 2017 at 10:22 am
So sorry we cant be there in person but our hearts are with you. We sure will miss seeing Uncle Pete at the Casino. Love to All
Reply
~Bill and Janice Thompson
January 29, 2017 at 2:14 pm
… Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt thoughts to the family. Our VFW Post 3030 will truly miss you Pete!
Reply
Linda Bensel
January 29, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Only met Pete’s dad a couple of times. He was a wonderful, sweet, kind man. A real gentleman. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Reply
Barb & El Engelter
January 29, 2017 at 9:55 pm
I came to Otsego in 1973 and was a loyal customer at Skogmo’s. Later Pete became a customer of mine at Recreation Country. Pete bought mowers and chainsaws from us and was one of my most liked customers. Always congenial and pleasant as a customer. God rest his soul.
Reply
Joan Walters
January 30, 2017 at 11:42 am
Chris, Pete and Kevin. So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He sent me a Christmas card this year and it brought back so many memories. When I used to visit my Dad in his office at the Cheese Company, Pete always greeted me with a big smile and happy laughter. As I got older, I used to run into him and your Mom at various places, they remained the same happy couple. I appreciated the fact over the years that Pete was present at all of the Walters/Cheese company family funerals. He was a loyal friend to all of them. I am sorry I will not be able to attend the funeral, My sympathies to your family.
Joan
Reply
Tim & Laurie Andrus
January 30, 2017 at 3:57 pm
I have many memories growing up of Pete working with my father to build Bernea Foods. May he rest in peace.
Reply
Craig & Lorna Sisson
January 31, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I cant remember when Pete and Bunny were not friends of our family. I remember going out to their home, swimming in the pool, visiting with them at their cottage on Pine Lake, watching/listening to Pete, Zach, Basil, Harold, Fuller, and Crow, along with Dad (Red) playing poker at our kitchen table. Pete was a member of the Greatest Generation, born and raised on a farm during the Depression, served his country proudly in WWII; parachuted into German occupied Holland with an anti-tank mine strapped to his chest (he was quick to jettison that after safely landing!). He never missed a service at Memorial Park on Memorial or Veteran’s Day.
He came home, married, raised their family, was a successful businessman, and all around good American citizen. More than this, Pete was just plain a good guy. Interesting to talk with, fun to be around, He, like Bunny, are irreplaceable, and will be missed.
Reply
Sheila
February 1, 2017 at 10:21 am
Pete and Bunny were friends of my grandparents, Joyce and Basil, which made them in for more stories of my family than they could handle (If you knew my Gram she liked to talk..LOL). I remember going swimming over at their pool and fishing in the pond as kid. I do recall that some Bernea food made it to my graduation party as well… LOL!
I will always remember Pete for his big, “sly” smile! My grandparents always spoke of both he and Bunny with great respect and love. After my Gramps passed, Pete & Bunny would check on my Gram and it meant more to the family than they could ever know.
They were great friends of the family. Prayers to the family as you move forward.
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
February 1, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I want you all to know you are in my thoughts and prayers! Your dad and mom were such huge pillars in our community and will truly be missed and always respectfully thought of! Love you guys!
Reply
Kelley DePauw-Ayers
February 2, 2017 at 12:54 am
I remember so many times when we were neighbors and I spent time at your house, I always felt welcome by Pete & Bunny! Prayers to you and your family Chris, Pete & Kevin
Reply
Sally Thaxton Betzner
February 3, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Sorry about your loss, lots of wonderful memories at your house , eating meals, staying all night, riding ponies up in the hills, love you kids!
Reply
Vance and Marian Swope
February 11, 2017 at 1:59 pm
I have many great memories of both Pete and Bunny. I taught next door to Bunny for about 25 years and got to know both of them . Always a delight to talk to and always felt welcome in their home. Our sympathies to you, Chris, Pete and Kevin
Reply
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He was born May 10, 1924 in Allegan the son of Harry and Jennie (Barton) Cary. He served his country in the US Army 82
nd
Airborne Division during WWII and was part of the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Market Garden. Pete celebrated his 21
st
birthday in Paris on the day the war ended.
He had worked at Michigan Cottage Cheese for 25 years, owned and operated Skogmos Department Store and Bernea Foods until his retirement in 1986. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and playing cards. Pete was a life member of the Otsego Elks Lodge and the Otsego VFW Post #3030. On June 6, 1948 he married Mary Jane “Bunny” Cummings who passed away in 2015.
Surviving are his children, Christine (David) Hicks of Springfield, IL, Peter (Laura) Cary of Otsego and Kevin (Melissa) Cary of Cedar Springs; granddaughter, Helena Cary of Rockford; brother, Ronald (Lee) Cary of Otsego and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings, Maxine Branch and Harry Cary.
Friends may visit with Pete’s family from 6-8 P.M., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego where a funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego.
Military Honors by Otsego VFW Post #3030.
Contributions in memory of Pete may be made to
Wings Home of Allegan
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Paul E. “Pete” Cary
Condolence Messages
Tim and Marcia Quigley
January 27, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Rest in Peace, dear Pete! We shall always remember you being at the Elks and playing cards! You always had a smile for everyone! Prayers to all of the family!
Reply
Norm Bensel
January 28, 2017 at 7:06 am
Dear Pete and Laura, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Both you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.
Reply
Bob Miles
January 28, 2017 at 9:11 pm
“Oh” Pete Cary I had many many great times with Pete. Pete was one of the good guys in Otsego. Playing cards, playing golf. drinking beer or just setting down and talking with Pete was always a fun time. Pete will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Pete, Kevin and Chris
Reply
Patricia "Leonard" Clingenpeel
January 29, 2017 at 4:27 am
My condolences to the Family.
I remember Pete & Bunny from my youth growing up in Otsego.
As a young girl, any money I made, I made a bee-line down
to Skogmos to buy a skirt or dress. Pete & Bunny always
made me feel comfortable while in there shopping.
Then when I worked at Leons Restaurant, I used to wait
on them there.
Both Pete & Bunny were the nicest people.
Just about a week ago, I pointed out the old Skogmos to
my son & told him, now THERE was here we bought our clothes.
God has taken home one of his Angels.
God Bless his Family……………….
Reply
Fred and June
January 29, 2017 at 10:22 am
So sorry we cant be there in person but our hearts are with you. We sure will miss seeing Uncle Pete at the Casino. Love to All
Reply
~Bill and Janice Thompson
January 29, 2017 at 2:14 pm
… Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt thoughts to the family. Our VFW Post 3030 will truly miss you Pete!
Reply
Linda Bensel
January 29, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Only met Pete’s dad a couple of times. He was a wonderful, sweet, kind man. A real gentleman. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Reply
Barb & El Engelter
January 29, 2017 at 9:55 pm
I came to Otsego in 1973 and was a loyal customer at Skogmo’s. Later Pete became a customer of mine at Recreation Country. Pete bought mowers and chainsaws from us and was one of my most liked customers. Always congenial and pleasant as a customer. God rest his soul.
Reply
Joan Walters
January 30, 2017 at 11:42 am
Chris, Pete and Kevin. So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He sent me a Christmas card this year and it brought back so many memories. When I used to visit my Dad in his office at the Cheese Company, Pete always greeted me with a big smile and happy laughter. As I got older, I used to run into him and your Mom at various places, they remained the same happy couple. I appreciated the fact over the years that Pete was present at all of the Walters/Cheese company family funerals. He was a loyal friend to all of them. I am sorry I will not be able to attend the funeral, My sympathies to your family.
Joan
Reply
Tim & Laurie Andrus
January 30, 2017 at 3:57 pm
I have many memories growing up of Pete working with my father to build Bernea Foods. May he rest in peace.
Reply
Craig & Lorna Sisson
January 31, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I cant remember when Pete and Bunny were not friends of our family. I remember going out to their home, swimming in the pool, visiting with them at their cottage on Pine Lake, watching/listening to Pete, Zach, Basil, Harold, Fuller, and Crow, along with Dad (Red) playing poker at our kitchen table. Pete was a member of the Greatest Generation, born and raised on a farm during the Depression, served his country proudly in WWII; parachuted into German occupied Holland with an anti-tank mine strapped to his chest (he was quick to jettison that after safely landing!). He never missed a service at Memorial Park on Memorial or Veteran’s Day.
He came home, married, raised their family, was a successful businessman, and all around good American citizen. More than this, Pete was just plain a good guy. Interesting to talk with, fun to be around, He, like Bunny, are irreplaceable, and will be missed.
Reply
Sheila
February 1, 2017 at 10:21 am
Pete and Bunny were friends of my grandparents, Joyce and Basil, which made them in for more stories of my family than they could handle (If you knew my Gram she liked to talk..LOL). I remember going swimming over at their pool and fishing in the pond as kid. I do recall that some Bernea food made it to my graduation party as well… LOL!
I will always remember Pete for his big, “sly” smile! My grandparents always spoke of both he and Bunny with great respect and love. After my Gramps passed, Pete & Bunny would check on my Gram and it meant more to the family than they could ever know.
They were great friends of the family. Prayers to the family as you move forward.
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
February 1, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I want you all to know you are in my thoughts and prayers! Your dad and mom were such huge pillars in our community and will truly be missed and always respectfully thought of! Love you guys!
Reply
Kelley DePauw-Ayers
February 2, 2017 at 12:54 am
I remember so many times when we were neighbors and I spent time at your house, I always felt welcome by Pete & Bunny! Prayers to you and your family Chris, Pete & Kevin
Reply
Sally Thaxton Betzner
February 3, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Sorry about your loss, lots of wonderful memories at your house , eating meals, staying all night, riding ponies up in the hills, love you kids!
Reply
Vance and Marian Swope
February 11, 2017 at 1:59 pm
I have many great memories of both Pete and Bunny. I taught next door to Bunny for about 25 years and got to know both of them . Always a delight to talk to and always felt welcome in their home. Our sympathies to you, Chris, Pete and Kevin
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Name
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