Pasquale "Peter" Paraventi

Pasquale “Peter” Paraventi, age 88, passed away December 4, 2016 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, MI.Pete was born on July 6, 1928 in Iron River, MI to Pasquale and Rosa (Viti) Paraventi, and grew up in the Virgil Location. He graduated from Iron River High School in 1946. Pete worked for the Cashway Store meat department in high school, and for Haydons’ Service Station after graduation. He was recruited to work for Wisconsin Michigan Power Company (WMPCo) in 1947 as a groundsman, and by 1950 was promoted to lineman. Pete’s career at WMPCo was interrupted by the call to service with the US Army in March 1951. Reporting to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for basic training, he deployed with the 24th Infantry Division to Korea in August 1951. Serving with Company D of the 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, he fought in Korea until February 1952, when the 24th Infantry was sent to Japan to form part of the security force there. Separated from service in January 1953 at Fort Custer, MI. Pete was honorably discharged in February 1957, after five years in the Enlisted Reserve Corps. He was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon and the Distinguished Unit Emblem during his time of service. In his retirement, Pete proudly supported his fellow veterans with memberships in the VFW and American Legion.Pete resumed his career in Iron River as lineman with WMPCo in 1953. He married Ruth E. Waara in May 1957, moving out to Bates Location, where they raised their family of four children. After more than a decade of hard work and dedication to restoring power after storms and ‘keeping the lights on’ in general, his efforts were rewarded with promotion to Western District Supervisor for WMPCo in June 1970. Pete hung up his hard hat and turned off his radio after 41 years with Wisconsin Michigan Power Company/Wisconsin Electric in April 1988.Pete’s focus was always on family. He devoted much time and energy supporting his widowed mother, lending a hand to his local siblings whenever asked, and always working together with his wife Ruth, raising their children. Pete appreciated the quieter moments spent just being with his family. When grandkids expanded the family, his smile was always widest when enjoying time with them or just hearing stories about their antics, and as they grew, their accomplishments. His years working with the public meant he could ‘chew the fat’ with just about anyone he met, since he probably knew your grandparents if he didn’t know you personally.He was proud of the family he and Ruthie raised, and counted their successes and accomplishments among his greatest blessings. Pete’s unwavering love, support, and presence in their lives will be greatly missed and deeply mourned.Pete is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Ruth E. (Waara) who died October 28, 2016; his parents Pasquale and Rosa; brothers Amelio, Joseph, Edward (Nano); sisters Ada (Paraventi) Sgrecci and Eva R. Paraventi; and brother-in-law Robert W. Waara and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Waara.Pete’s greatest joy, pride, and comfort throughout his life was his family. His family survivors include son Pete W. and Donna (Waite) Paraventi of Iron River, MI; daughters Karyn R. and William Bosze, Grand Rapids, MI, Anita M. and Stan Ferguson, Downers Grove, IL, and Denise Paraventi and Tom Rouns, Pittsburgh, PA. The ‘apples of his eye’ are his grandchildren Pete M. Paraventi, Iron River, MI; Nicole J. (Paraventi) and Bradly Bergman, Ashland, Montana; and Alaina K. (Bosze) and Michael Davis, Madison, WI; and great-grandchildren Brienna E. Bergman, Hunter J. Bergman. Pete is also survived by nieces and nephews on the Paraventi family side: Robyn and Dan Hermes, Andrew and Maxine Paraventi, Jody and Mark LeVeille; David and Mary Sgrecci, Corinne (Sgrecci) Voelker; Yvonne (Paraventi) and Charles Ayers, Roxanne and John Melchiori, Joseph and Joann Paraventi; and his wife’s nephews Michael and Rebecca Waara, Rochester, MN, and Patrick and Christine Waara, Haiku, Hawaii.Visitation will be Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the church, following the service.Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery in the spring. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pasquale "Peter" Paraventi, please visit our flower store.