Obituary for ROBERT ALGER VEALE
Robert Alger Veale, 43, of Camelot Dr., Negaunee, passed away Friday afternoon, February 26, 2021 at UP Health System Marquette from complications of Myotonic Dystrophy surrounded by his dad and sister, but virtually by many more.
Robbie (aka Bert, Robbie Jr., Captain, Basketball Bob, “No Fish” or Little Robbie) was born May 31, 1977 in Green Bay to Robert P. and Susan M. (Jennings) Veale, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1996 and was a lifelong area resident. Following graduation, Robbie worked at Econo Foods, Tino’s Bar & Pizza, as well at Goodwill Industries. Robbie loved to spend time with family and friends no matter the activity or reason to gather, but especially enjoyed being at camp on Mehl Lake in the pontoon boat and around the bonfire. He was an avid Miner Fan and could often be spotted and heard from “his spot” cheering on the Maize and Blue. Robbie was a member of Mitchell United Methodist Church (Marquette Hope) and the Negaunee Male Chorus.
Robbie had a long and tough journey, and because he has never walked this path alone, he has brought love to those around him, experienced love from so many people, and created amazing memories along the way. Robbie is survived by his father, Robert P. Veale; his sister, Heather (Greg) Toutant; his niece and nephew, Faith and Preston Toutant; his paternal grandmother, Ada Veale; his aunts and uncles, Russell (Mary) Veale, Linda (Kurt) Prond, Brian (Brenda) Veale, Randy (Diane) Veale, and Diane Jennings; his cousins, Nathan (Nicole) Veale, Jared Veale, John (Sheri) Veale, Dan (Megan) Veale, Ben (Angie) Veale, Kelly Prond, Angela (Rod) Zullo, Kurt (Teresa) Prond, Brandon Veale, Breanna (Brian) Kovarik, Bradley Veale, Lauren (Matt) Hill, and Marcus Jennings; and special friend, Alice Crookham. Robbie was preceded in death by his mother, Susan; his maternal grandparents, Alger and Helvi Jennings; paternal grandfather, Robert T. Veale; and his uncle, Ronald Jennings.
To many he was an inspiration. He always chose to accept others without judgement, he chose peace over anger, and he chose to be included and to include others. Above all, he chose to love, and showed empathy towards others’ needs. Every night he would pray his prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take,” followed by prayers for individuals and their needs. Over the last week, we were able to pray together and Robbie’s faith was unwavering.
The family wishes to thank the numerous educators in Robbie’s life for their willingness to push for inclusion in the classrooms, to involve Robbie in the various sports teams, and for their guidance in peer mentoring. The genuine relationships that he built lasted a life time.
The family also wishes to thank the staff at UP Health System Marquette, especially Dr. Clark, Dr. Crouch and Dr. Chang, as well as Dr. Grossman and Dr. Torreano, and the many other medical professionals throughout the years for their medical care, but more importantly for their compassion and guidance as we all worked together to ensure that he would have a life filled with good memories.
Private memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 6th at Marquette Hope United Methodist Church in Negaunee with Reverends Chris and Kristi Hintz officiating, and may be viewed via livestream at https://youtu.be/AUPXVJ3EECs or https://youtube.com/marquettehope. Interment in the Negaunee Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held over the summer, and will be announced by the Koskey Funeral Home.
Robbie’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Robbie (aka Bert, Robbie Jr., Captain, Basketball Bob, “No Fish” or Little Robbie) was born May 31, 1977 in Green Bay to Robert P. and Susan M. (Jennings) Veale, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1996 and was a lifelong area resident. Following graduation, Robbie worked at Econo Foods, Tino’s Bar & Pizza, as well at Goodwill Industries. Robbie loved to spend time with family and friends no matter the activity or reason to gather, but especially enjoyed being at camp on Mehl Lake in the pontoon boat and around the bonfire. He was an avid Miner Fan and could often be spotted and heard from “his spot” cheering on the Maize and Blue. Robbie was a member of Mitchell United Methodist Church (Marquette Hope) and the Negaunee Male Chorus.
Robbie had a long and tough journey, and because he has never walked this path alone, he has brought love to those around him, experienced love from so many people, and created amazing memories along the way. Robbie is survived by his father, Robert P. Veale; his sister, Heather (Greg) Toutant; his niece and nephew, Faith and Preston Toutant; his paternal grandmother, Ada Veale; his aunts and uncles, Russell (Mary) Veale, Linda (Kurt) Prond, Brian (Brenda) Veale, Randy (Diane) Veale, and Diane Jennings; his cousins, Nathan (Nicole) Veale, Jared Veale, John (Sheri) Veale, Dan (Megan) Veale, Ben (Angie) Veale, Kelly Prond, Angela (Rod) Zullo, Kurt (Teresa) Prond, Brandon Veale, Breanna (Brian) Kovarik, Bradley Veale, Lauren (Matt) Hill, and Marcus Jennings; and special friend, Alice Crookham. Robbie was preceded in death by his mother, Susan; his maternal grandparents, Alger and Helvi Jennings; paternal grandfather, Robert T. Veale; and his uncle, Ronald Jennings.
To many he was an inspiration. He always chose to accept others without judgement, he chose peace over anger, and he chose to be included and to include others. Above all, he chose to love, and showed empathy towards others’ needs. Every night he would pray his prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take,” followed by prayers for individuals and their needs. Over the last week, we were able to pray together and Robbie’s faith was unwavering.
The family wishes to thank the numerous educators in Robbie’s life for their willingness to push for inclusion in the classrooms, to involve Robbie in the various sports teams, and for their guidance in peer mentoring. The genuine relationships that he built lasted a life time.
The family also wishes to thank the staff at UP Health System Marquette, especially Dr. Clark, Dr. Crouch and Dr. Chang, as well as Dr. Grossman and Dr. Torreano, and the many other medical professionals throughout the years for their medical care, but more importantly for their compassion and guidance as we all worked together to ensure that he would have a life filled with good memories.
Private memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 6th at Marquette Hope United Methodist Church in Negaunee with Reverends Chris and Kristi Hintz officiating, and may be viewed via livestream at https://youtu.be/AUPXVJ3EECs or https://youtube.com/marquettehope. Interment in the Negaunee Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held over the summer, and will be announced by the Koskey Funeral Home.
Robbie’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.