Gene Paul Dufrene
November 29, 1933 – November 24, 2022
Age 88, of Ft Myers Beach, Florida formerly of Alma, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods in Bryon Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 11 am at Nativity of the Lord Parish, Mt. St. Joseph site in St. Louis. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm with a prayer service starting at 6:30 pm at the Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods.
Paul was born November 29, 1933, at home in Jeannettes Creek, Ontario, the son of Walter and Sophie (Belisle) Dufrene. He grew up in Merlin, Ontario. He married Naureen Marie Coburn on April 16, 1955 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Chatham, Ontario. He and his wife moved from Merlin to Montreal for a few years and then moved to the United States in 1960 where he eventually moved his family to Alma, Michigan where he resided for 42 years. In 2008 he moved to Ft Myers Beach Florida as a full-time resident until February 2022.
Paul finished the 10th grade and began his career in the corrugated packaging industry at the age of 15. In 1973 he started Mid-Michigan Container Corporation with his 3 partners in Edmore, Michigan. He retired in 1986 and continued to consult for many years. Paul enjoyed cooking, eating good food, a cold beer and the occasional “whikki” and soda. He also loved traveling, golf, boating and working with his hands, especially enjoyed pouring concrete.
He is survived by his five children; Kathy Nadalin of Ingersoll, Ontario, Mike Dufrene of Alma, Michigan; Mary Beth (Joe) Zalokar of Delton, Michigan; Christine (Bob) Sweezie of Montague, Michigan; Sheila (Matt) Sova of Howell, Michigan. 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. His sister Helen (Babe) Siebert of Sarnia, Ontario; his longtime partner Connie Fawcett of Collingwood, Ontario; his sister-in-law Pauline Adley; his sister-in-law Ann (Sherman) Zavitz; his loving nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful loving wife of 41 years Naureen; his parents Walter and Sophie Dufrene, his brother Kingsley (King) Dufrene and his daughter-in-law Debbie Dufrene.
Cheers to a life well lived by a man well loved…..until we meet again.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Paul Dufrene Thursday November 24th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Collingwood, Province: Ontario