Jeffrey VanConett
July 02, 1960 - June 09, 2017
Obituary
VanConett, Jeffrey Earl Fremont Twp. Passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones on June 9, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Dale (Swidorski); daughter, Hanna; son, Ryan; mother and stepfather: Joann and Bill Finazzi. He also leaves behind his father-in-law and mother in-law: Tom and Gale Swidorski; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tommy, Janet and Tonya Swidorski; nephews: Jacob and Brandon; and a niece, Elizabeth. As well as many friends including: Cindy, Pat, Bruce, Ronnie, Jeff, Chris, Duane, Michael and Matt; and two loved dogs, Snoopy and Ellie; and a cat, Pudgy. Jeff was predeceased by his sister, Jill Ulrey; uncle, Tom VanConett; grandparents: Earl and Dorothy VanConett; great grandparents: Tony and Mabel (Pierce) Mikol; and good friends: Larry Sample, John Petrie, Tom Gibson and Robbie McGuirk. Jeff was born in Flint, Michigan on July 2, 1960, graduated from Tawas High School in 1978, and continued on to Alpena Community College where he played hockey. Jeff was in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a dry waller by trade and created his own building maintenance business. He was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt throughout his entire life. He spent time with his family and friends camping, boating, traveling, fishing, and hunting. Jeff also loved to watch and participate in sports, spending much of his time watching his son, Ryan, play hockey. Jeff loved to listen to music from a young age and went to hundreds of concerts throughout his life, countless of these with his wife, Dale, and many friends. He also spent many hours working on cars in his barn, working on his house and property, and taking care of his family. Jeff was a caretaker by nature and felt the need to care for people as well as family and neighbors. Burial will take place at the Peninsula Township Cemetery in Traverse City on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Hanna and Ryan's college education funds at Wanigas Credit Union. Arrangements have been entrusted to Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., (off State). Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the cemetery or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com
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Memories
CJ
Craig Johnson
Other •
Jeff I wish our boys had been on the same team 8 years earlier. I know if I would have gone fishing with u I could tell much better lies than I already do! I was at at several of the shows u went to we probably were elbowing each other in the beer line. Our wives complaining how long it took to get one beer not knowing we had two. All the days and nights of working my crazy shift work it always got me pumped up like a RedBull and a shot of whiskey before the game bull shitting with u In the hallway not mattering what we talked about whether it be about the game or another random thing. Always positive with never a negative thing to say unless it was about how hard our boys should hit one of the other dirty players from the other team. The first time we met was in the score box with Hanna, I know I screwed up the time a bunch while we talked about the big one that got away. Hanna would roll her eyes and help out with putting the correct score on the boards. I will miss your presence always. I had two brothers pass away that I played hockey with as a kid and always think of them when I lace up. You will be added to that. Rest In Peace my friend, you r know part of The Spirit of the Wild
CB
Chris Bohinski
Other •
Jeff,
I will never forget how encouraging you were to my son after every game we played. That's the kind of guy you were. He had to hear those things from someone other than me for it to finally sink in. I will always remember our frank conversation in the halls of the hockey arenas in many places. I wish that we could have had a few more seasons worth of them. You were a good friend and we will all miss you. Find the guy who started this whole cancer thing up there and give him what he deserves. Rest In Peace friend.
ES
Erik Shoemaker
Other •
We will all miss his booming voice, his simple encouraging pep talks before and after a game, or hearing him on the river, we all knew it was Jeff's voice! It has been a bittersweet year getting to know Jeff as a friend, listening to his battle with cancer, it was good for him to just let it all out. We would give Jeff our words of encouragement in hope that somehow he could beat the C. His love of music would always surface at tournaments, listening to the local band in the bar after a day of hockey, he would talk about this concert or that concert and all the little things that the average music listener would never know! Jeff was definitely a warrior and will be deeply missed. Save a few fish for the rest of us Jeff, till we meet again.
DV
Dale VanConett
Other •
Love your remembence of Jeff
DV
Dale VanConett
Other •
Thanks for sharing your memories, miss him dearly
DV
Dale VanConett
Other •
Craig, I bet he's raising hell already up there. Dale