Scott Collick

Scott was born in Ishpeming on February 9, 1959, to the late Paul, Jr. and Angeline (Gardoni) Collick. He graduated from Negaunee High School in 1977 and was a lifelong area resident.

Scott was a talented carpenter, at one point owning his own roofing business. He proudly built his family home and could often be found “side jobbing” on the weekends; shingling, siding, and putting up garages. Scott retired as a Maintenance Mechanic from the Marquette State Fish Hatchery in 2008, with 22 years after his health made it necessary. He was one of the individuals responsible for starting the yearly kids Fishing Derby at the Richmond Township Community Club in Suomi, an organization he was part of for many years.

Scott was diagnosed with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) in 2008, a neurological disease that he fought back hard against. He would proudly tell people, “They said I would be in a wheelchair within a year but I’m still goin’.”

Scott was “tougher than woodpecker lips” as he would say, and lived alone at camp with wood heat and no electricity, constantly planning, scheming, building, and customizing his world to his needs, and accomplishing more than most able-bodied folks could. Scott proudly proclaimed his “Forza,” an Italian word for strength, power, and facing the difficulties of life.

Scott enjoyed spending time at camp, making that his permanent residence for the last several years. He enjoyed partridge and deer hunting, playing cribbage, fishing, picking morels, cruising in his Kubota and his green Challenger, visiting with his grandkids, smokin’ pot, being disappointed by the Detroit Lions and spending fine Saturday evenings by the fire, listening to Elmer.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Paulette Gervae; and his brothers, Michael and Greg.

He is survived by his daughters, Katie (Robert “Sam”) Marks and Neily (Chace Perry) Collick, both of Marquette, and their mother, Mary (Jim) Shivley of Suomi; his grandchildren, Kenley, Adley and Blakeley Marks, Jade and Ivan Proctor and Braxton Perry; sisters, Betty (Gregg) Nelson of Palmer and Lynn Miles of Glendale, Arizona; brothers, Dennis Collick of Forsyth Township and Daniel Collick of Glendale, Arizona; “Aunty Nat” (Jim) Lafreniere of Ishpeming, his “best buddy,” Kevin Pietila; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Moo and Forza.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Eastwood Nursing Center, UP Home Health and Hospice, and everyone who has ever helped our Dad out these past few years, especially the crew at Tall Timber.

Honoring Scott’s wishes, a memorial gathering will be held this summer.

Mr. Collick’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com