Paul "Pauly" Frederick Robinson

Pauly Robinson passed away in his sleep on Sunday, July 30, 2023, with his pal, Koda by his side, just shy of his 67th birthday. His sudden loss has left a hole in the hearts and lives of his family and his many friends. Pauly was born in Grand Haven, MI on August 29, 1956. He was the third son, born to Carl and Marilyn (Née Booth) Robinson.

He and his two older brothers, Chris and Chuck, were close growing up and their exploits are legendary. Janie, the youngest, held her own with her three older brothers. Marilyn certainly had her hands full with four children, being a single parent, but her deep devotion and love for family passed on through to her children and grandchildren.

Pauly graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1975, where he made an impact on the football and wrestling teams. He was an Academic All-American Wrestler for The Jayhawks in 1975 - 1977. He was known by his teammates as a beast on the mat, and they would remain friends throughout their lives. When wrestling for Central Michigan University, Pauly would come home and practice his moves on his brother, Chris.

Pauly was an avid hunter and loved to fish. He could field dress a deer, and filet a fish with an electric bread knife like nobody’s business. The kids will always have their memories fishing with Pauly.

He was a great cook, and family and friends’ celebrations were always complete with Pauly’s famous ribs.

He was also a prolific pool player and could be found honing his skills down at the Eagles Club.

As a die-hard Detroit Lions fan, he would be amused to know that for the first time in franchise history, The Lions 23-24 season tickets have sold out.

Pauly was larger than life. He was known by many and loved by most. He was quick with a joke, a prolific story teller, and his laughter could fill the room. Sometimes his laugh was funnier than the joke. If he heard a good one, Pauly would pretend to put it in his pocket and would say, “For my repertoire.”

You always were met with a smile and a bear hug. His shenanigans were renowned, and some even made the papers. To know Pauly was to love Pauly, there really isn’t any other way to say it. He will be remembered as a Grand Haven Legend.

Pauly was proud of his Tsimshian Indian heritage and it was his dream to move to Ketchikan, where his mother was raised, to fish and hunt in the wilds of Alaska. It was not to be, and he will be laid to rest here in Grand Haven near his beloved mother.

We will remember Pauly fishing for Salmon on Lake Michigan, or in the woods on a beautiful fall day.

Pauly was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn in 2016.

He is survived by his daughter, Julia; his brothers, Chris and Chuck; his sister, Jane (Gary) Zyck; niece, Sydney; nephews, Little Pauly and Chase; cousin, Jack (Linda); many relatives; and numerous lifelong good friends, namely, his ride-or-die, Bobby "Bobby-San" Berg.​​

A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Parish, with Fr. Dan Schumaker officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven.

Please join us for a Celebration of Pauly’s Life on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Grand Haven Eagles Aerie # 925-Upstairs Hall. Come and share your memories of Pauly, have some laughs, and raise a toast to this guy. He would like that.

As Pauly would say, “Tootles.” Until we meet again.

A go-fund-me account has been set up to help pay for Pauly’s final expenses. Please visit https://gofund.me/289e705b to donate.

Memorial Contributions in Pauly's memory may also be made to Born to be Wild-Animal Rehabilitation and Rescue on facebook. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/borntobewildrehab/about to make a contribution.

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