Wayne L. Plamondon, Died May 28, 2020

Wayne L. Plamondon

Died May 28, 2020

LAKE LEELANAU – Wayne Louis Plamondon, 75, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Wayne was born July 3, 1944 at home in Lake Leelanau, the son of Donald and Loretta (Tarchinski) Plamondon.

He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High School of Lake Leelanau, class of 1963.  Wayne started working at N.J.’s Grocery owned by his father Don and Uncle Skeex.  He married the love of his life, Mary JoAnn Sedlacek on Sept. 24, 1966 at St. Wenceslaus Church of Gills Pier, MI.  He continued to work at N.J.’s Grocery and in 1980 he purchased/operated N.J.’s for the next 25 years.  This is where he served the community and made many dear friends.  Wayne was known for his knowledge and expertise in meat cutting.  He was also active on the Lake Leelanau Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Leland Township Fire Board, and a life-long parishioner of St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.

Wayne enjoyed taking his restored 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible for cruises around the county, which sparked an interest in Classic Cars and their shows.  This in turn lead him to enter and compete in many car shows.  He brought home many trophies for both the 1967 Volkswagen and 1965 original Chevrolet pick-up truck.  Other spare time enjoyments were playing cards, cribbage, pool, wine making, fishing, and catching a trophy Lake Trout (17# 7oz- 35”) in 1983 while ice fishing on Lake Leelanau’s Robinsons Bay.  Wayne loved golfing with his buddies. He would often say, “A bad day on the golf course was better than a good day at work!”  And, who could forget Wayne’s unique laugh and endless supply of jokes to entertain family and friends.

After retiring in April 2004, he was able to spend more time with his grandchildren.  He enjoyed giving them cooking lessons, taking them fishing, and they helped “Papa” with odd jobs in and around the house and garage.  Retirement provided time for a wonderful family vacation to Disneyworld, giving everyone great lasting memories.  He looked forward to winters in Florida, getting away from the snow and cold.  He was able to enjoy his favorite pass times, fishing/surf-casting off the ocean, going to flea markets, yard sales, and golfing with close family and friends.

Wayne will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and parishioner.  His character was a bedrock of faith and family.

Wayne is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty-three years, Mary Jo; two sons: Keith Wayne (Barb) Plamondon, Jay Christopher Plamondon; his siblings, Anne Bergstrom, Lynn (Barbara) Plamondon, Mary Plamondon, Lori (Stephen) Nelson, Ruth Plamondon; his grandchildren, Melissa (Chris) Haapala, Casie (John) Cholewinski, Molly Plamondon, Sarah Plamondon, Samuel Plamondon, Joshua Plamondon, Timothy Plamondon, Carlie Plamondon; his great grandchildren; Aurora Haapala, Aiden Cholewinski; and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Loretta; his in laws, Joseph and Frances Sedlacek; a sister Pattie Young; brother in laws Grant Young and Terry Bergstrom.

With all of Wayne’s struggles and health issues his greatest achievement was his positive attitude he kept for 11-years while battling multiple myeloma.  

Wayne, you will forever be an inspiration to us all!

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, August 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home, Suttons Bay.  A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August  29 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption.  Interment to follow at St. Mary Cemetery.  Fr. Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.  Masks are required and to please follow safe social distancing.

To watch the funeral mass remotely via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4299831981?

pwd=TDJhakg1SkdnOXpjdVpNc1lNa1JDdz09

Or if you already have the Zoom app:

Meeting ID: 429 983 1981
Passcode: Plamondon

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School (Educational Enhancement Fund), P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653 /or Cancer Research c/o Cowell Family Cancer Center 217 S. Madison Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.

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