Paul R. (Whitey) Hannuksela

Paul was born on March 24, 1942, in Negaunee, MI, the son of the late Reino (Hannu) and Lillian (Korpi) Hannuksela. He grew up in Diorite Location and was a 1960 graduate of Ishpeming High School. After high school, Paul served his country in the U.S. Navy from August 1960 to September 1963 and participated in successfully pursuing a Russian submarine and forcing it to surface during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Paul was a 1970 graduate of Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in Biology and a 1973 graduate of The University of Michigan with an M.S. in Fisheries. As a Fisheries Biologist, Paul was employed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for over 30 years at the Marquette Fisheries Research Station, retiring in 1997.

Paul was a lifelong athlete who loved to compete in running, skiing, biking and triathlon. He helped to begin the infamous time trials at the Crossroads and inspired and supported many “newbies” in all those pursuits earning well-deserved respect. Upon retirement, Paul immersed himself in his outdoor activities continuing to mentor many folks along the way.

Paul was a member of the U.P. Road Runners Club, The National Wildlife Federation and several other conservation and environmental organizations. As a community member, he was integral in the development, construction and maintenance of Blueberry Ridge Ski Pathway and the Ore to Shore mountain biking trails, and later in retirement he groomed the Ore to Shore and the Noquemanon trails for athletic competitions. He was a valued instructor for the organization Becoming an Outdoors Woman and was a tireless volunteer advocating for silent sports in Marquette County.

Paul may be best known as a fisherman! If you talked with him, the conversation was not too far from fish! He was an avid angler fishing many U.P. waters sharing his catch with his friends. Later in retirement, Paul’s passion brought him to the warmer Gulf Coast of Florida where he loved shore and kayak fishing during the coldest winter months of the U.P.

Paul was also an accomplished hunter pursuing deer, ruffed grouse and woodcock in the U.P. He also trekked annually to hunt upland birds including pheasant and prairie grouse in Montana and the Dakotas with his Brittany Pointers and his hunting buddies. Over the years, Paul’s time afield was always shared with his beloved Brittanys, Maple, Sadie, Dana, Buddy, Sadie 2 and Whitey, who became blind but still hunted perfectly by scent, sound and by feel of the trail. His dogs were his constant companions, not only during hunting season but also while trail running and biking year-round. He was totally dedicated to the care and welfare of his faithful dogs.

Paul is survived by his two sons, Paul Scott Spencer of Clearwater, Florida, and Jon Erik Spencer of Marquette and his sisters Marlene (Phil) Ombrello of Snowville Location and Diana (Paul Blemberg) Bennett of Alexandria, VA, and Marquette. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Alec, Madison and Carter Spencer, great-grandchild Adrix Breault, nephew Jeffrey Koval and two of his beloved Brittanys Buddy and Sadie 2.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Judy Spencer.

No funeral service or visitation will be held. A private memorial gathering for family and friends will be announced and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS) at 815 S. State Hwy M553, Gwinn, MI 49841, in memory of Paul.