Paul E. Rodman

Age 74. Beloved husband of Sharon Rodman. Loving father of Deanna (Joe) Cortese and Michael Rodman. Dear brother of Marsha Rodman and the late Carol Breitmoser. Grandfather of Hannah and Izzy Cortese; great grandfather of the late Vada Rose Cheresko. Also survived by his best buddy Lloyd Combe, his sassy sister Maria Combe and niece Mary Jo Switaj.

Paul was born in Highland Park and grew up Downriver with his sisters, Carol and Marsha, and their parents, Pauline and Eugene. After graduating from Melvindale High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an electrician aboard the U.S.S. Ranger. In 1966 he met the love of his life and best influence, Sharon Maley. They married in 1967 and together had two children, Deanna and Michael, and a succession of dogs.

Paul began his decades-long career at Michigan Bell climbing telephone poles and ended it behind a desk, an environment that never really suited his temperament. To the surprise of many, not least of all his wife, he took early retirement at the age of fifty-five and traded in his starched shirt and necktie for overalls and Crocs to take up his favorite avocation, gardening, with new vigor. Few accomplishments made him as proud as his Master Gardener certification, which he put to good use not only in his own backyard but in lectures, presentations, plant exchanges, community gardens, and online and newspaper columns. He collected his own rainwater, was a steward for butterflies, and gladly sacrificed mere grass wherever more space was needed for bee balm or green peppers.

He used to read both major daily Detroit dailies, the News and the Free Press, both delivered on the doorstep, and never hewed too closely to one political persuasion, believing in the principles of fairness and the best person for the job. He had strong opinions and prejudices.  He often hated change but usually loved surprises. A contrarian streak inherited from his mother, and passed on to his offspring, sometimes manifested as obstinance; yet he could be persuaded, expand his point of view, and evolve.

He loved both salad and Krispy Kremes. He grilled, smoked, baked, deep-fried, and canned. He gleefully steered clear of the “healthier” version of anything. He camped, boated, hunted, fished, enjoying the outdoors as much as the sport of it. For a time his wife tolerated a taxidermied buck head on the wall. He enjoyed Tiger baseball and Michigan football. He got a special thrill from NASCAR, attended many races, and, after his own diminishing eyesight made him unable to get behind the wheel, rode shotgun in a race car at full speed for a few laps at the Michigan International Speedway. He briefly went through a phase that entailed a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a CB radio. He accumulated gadgets and tools at a prodigious rate and accepted the gift of a sixth garden spade or twentieth pocket knife with the same genuine pleasure and gratitude as the first. When he could barely tolerate solid food and had lost nearly half his body weight a french fry cutter that arrived in the mail delighted him.

He accumulated friends as well, those who were attracted by his humor, kindness, generosity, and shared interests. His family, immediate and extended, was of the greatest importance to him. He was known variously as Paul or My Sweetheart or Uncle Paul or U.P. or Bro or Dad. With the arrival of his grandchildren he was elevated to Poppo. The shortened form, Pop, maybe suited him best of all, with its suggestion of fizz and fun and the realization that there's no time to waste once you recognize each minute as precious.

He was no stranger to ashes and dust, but soil he really understood. His tomatoes continue to ripen in the backyard.

Visitation 5:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesday at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park (313-382-1150).

Funeral service 1:00pm Thursday, (In state from 12:30pm) at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 19624 Wood St., Melvindale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen (1820 Mt. Elliott, Detroit MI 48207) or to Roosevelt High School Botany Program (make checks payable to Roosevelt High School Botany Program and mail to 540 Eureka, Wyandotte, MI 48192).