Paul B. LaPerriere

Paul B. LaPerriere, of East Lansing, MI passed away into eternal life on August 2, 2021, at the age of 88. Paul was a proud Yooper, born in Menominee, Michigan on March 15, 1933. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth “Boots” LaPerriere and parents George and Orvilla LaPerriere. Paul was a lifelong dedicated parishioner at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing.

Paul graduated with the class of 1951 from Menominee HS and soon thereafter joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War based in Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon his return to Menominee, he married his lifetime partner Boots in 1955 and relocated to East Lansing (via ferry, no Big Mac bridge yet!). Paul received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University in 1959 and went on to work at Oldsmobile, retiring as Supervisor of Purchasing at the age of 55.

Not one to sit idle, Paul volunteered at the American Red Cross delivering blood across the state, he worked for Avis Rental Car, and Timber Ridge, Hawk Hallow, and Eagle Eye golf courses until the age of 86. Paul was an avid golfer, still seeking that elusive hole-in-one until the very end. Paul was a member of the American Legion, YMCA, MSU Rebounders Club, and many other clubs and committees in his community.

Paul and Boots travelled the world together during their 65 years together and attended MSU hockey, football, and basketball for over 50 years as season ticket holders. Paul was a dedicated husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather, and friend. Paul loved his family dearly and he will be dearly missed.

Paul never missed an opportunity to talk MSU sports. He loved picking up the “stats” sheet after every home basketball game and report back to many of his lifelong friends who could not attend the game. He and Boots travelled many times with the MSU basketball and football teams from coast to coast, including Hawaii and several Rose Bowls. Paul loved spending time with his family and vacationing with his family on Sanibel Island, FL, the fishing cottage in Baldwin, MI, and at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. Paul loved reading and watching history of WWII. He was a Spartan through and through, Go Green, Go White!

He is survived by his sons: Stephan (Carol) LaPerriere of Walled Lake, MI, Gary (Wendi) LaPerriere of Sanford, ME, and Todd (Lori) LaPerriere of Mason, MI; Sister-in-law, Helen “Pidgey” (Joe) Brisinte of Martinette, WI; Grandchildren, Alex and Will LaPerriere of Sanford, ME and Madison and Ethan LaPerriere of Mason, MI. The family would also like to thank his caregivers, Raya and Taylor, both became dear friends to Paul, and to the top-flight care and compassion he received at McLaren hospital; thank you for loving him as much as we do. A Memorial will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 4pm at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home East Lansing Chapel, with visitation from 2pm-4pm. A celebration of life will follow at Reno’s East in East Lansing. Interment will be held at a later date in Menominee, MI at Riverside Cemetery, for both Paul and Boots. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association, First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, or R.E. Olds Museum in Lansing. To leave a memory, condolence or a photo for the family please visit www.greastlansing.com.