Patricia “Pat” Akkala

Born April 25, 1935, in New York City, a daughter of Edward and Helen (Gallagher) Murray, Pat was raised in New York. Her growing up years were filled will typical pursuits, although Pat had the advantages of a few variations. She enjoyed roller skating, often at Grant’s Tomb, and on one occasion while riding her bike, accidentally ran into General Dwight D. Eisenhower as he was exiting his hotel. His aides helped pick her up and she was on her way, the event only becoming more memorable when, years later, Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States. Pat was a graduate of Cathedral High School, Class of 1953. On January 6, 1955, Pat was united in marriage to Robert Thomas Donohue in New York City. Throughout their marriage, the couple resided on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, New York. Pat was employed for a brief time with a phone company, but her primary responsibility was her role of wife, mother, and homemaker as she helped raise their four children. Robert Thomas preceded her in death on December 29, 1981. Pat later married William Wayne Akkala on March 3, 1982, while he was serving in the military at Montauk, New York. They resided in Montauk and the East Coast of Florida. Following his honorable discharge in December 1988, the couple traveled the East Coast of the United States. For a time, following Bill’s retirement, Pat worked on the fishing and party boats in Montauk, at one point landing a 100 pound tuna in the process. In 2005, the couple made the “trip of a lifetime”, driving 20,000 miles to Alaska. Their adventure took them four months, keeping informed by computer and cell phone. The trip took them across the Southern United States, California, up the coast to the Inside Roadway, through Canada, the Yukon, to Fairbanks, and back down the Alaskan Highway, Canadian Rockies, Grand Tetons, Glacier National Park, and the Black Hills to name just a few of the memorable sights they enjoyed. In 2013, the couple relocated to Big Bay where Bill’s father owned property and not far from Bill’s hometown of Marquette. Pat was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Bay, Women of the Moose in Satellite Beach, Florida, and the VFW Auxiliary in Coco Beach, Florida. She also was an active volunteer with the American Red Cross. In her leisure, Pat enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, and cooking.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Pat is survived by her husband, Bill Akkala; her children, daughter, Patricia (Wade) Marvin of Syracuse, NY and their children, Daniel (Komal) Marvin, Christopher (Sally) Marvin and their children, Jack and Lucas Marvin; and Leah Marvin; daughter, Deborah (the late Louis) Bonanno of Norwich, NY and their children, Nicholas and Jonathan Bonanno; son, Robert (Deborah) Donohue of East Moriches, NY and their children Sarah and Hannah Donohue; daughter, Dorothy (Mark) Bross of Bay Shore, NY and their children Matthew and Ryan Bross; her step-children, Julia Akkala, Lonnie (Renee) Akkala and their son, Robert Max Akkala; and Steven Akkala all of Montauk, NY; her sister, Helen (the late James) Barone of Venice, Florida; and brother, Edward (Helen) Murray of Venice, Florida; many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Bay on Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 1:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber, pastor, as celebrant. A dessert reception will follow. Spring interment will be made in the Powell Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 or St. Mary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 342, Big Bay, MI 49808.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com