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MARQUETTE, MI – Paul Scamperle was born in 1962 to Louis and Jolanda Scamperle in Detroit, Michigan.
He spoke Slovenian before he learned English in kindergarten and later French and Italian. Growing up in Dearborn Heights, Paul was a serious student and played the clarinet in high school (first chair). As a Regent Alumni Scholar at University of Michigan, Paul double majored in chemical engineering and communications and was active in his fraternity, the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Chi Psi. During Paul's
sophomore year, Fr. Nick Hubble introduced Paul to Mary Jo Osterman, a freshman originally from California. They married three weeks after graduation and moved to Chicago as Paul started his career in the industrial gas business, eventually working in the semiconductor industry.
Following several moves, Paul and Mary Jo landed in Phoenix. Together they founded an independent Catholic school, St. Maximilian Kolbe School, which was incorporated 25 years ago on August 14, 2001, and started classes in September. Paul returned to the classroom and obtained a Master's Degree in Teaching Math and Science before teaching at Kolbe School. After 14 school years, Kolbe School
closed. Work brought them later to the UP and Mary Jo and Paul spent 9 happy years in Marquette, with Paul publishing a poetry anthology for Catholic schools and consulting for classical schools about their math and science curriculum.
Paul enjoyed the fresh UP air, reading about news and politics, candy, British TV, silly tv shows (Spongebob and Bob's Burgers), Billy Joel, traveling, laughing, a fine meal, cars, and gadgets.
Paul loved Jesus, the Holy Mother Mary, being a dad to his three kids (Nick, Louisa, and Peter), and his wife and best friend of 41 years, Mary Jo.
In addition to his wife and children, Paul is survived by his sister Elizabeth, her husband Guy, and their three children (Cole, Cade, and Gaby), his beloved Aunt Magda and extended family in Trieste, Italy, a place never far from Paul's thoughts.
Our family would like to thank the staff of UP Health System Marquette (Dr. Gabrielle McGrath) and Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee (Dr. Kathryn Bylow) who graciously and professionally cared for Paul and for us. You all do God's work on this earth.
The Funeral mass for Paul will be at St Peter Cathedral, 311 West Baraga Ave, Marquette, Michigan, Friday, August 14, 2026, Feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe. Visitation with Family in Bishop's Room- 9:30 a.m., Mass- 11:00 a.m. Lunch to follow in Church Basement. All are invited.
Internment of Ashes will be August 21, San Gabriel Cemetery, 601 Roses Road, San Gabriel, CA at 10:00 a.m. A reception honoring Paul's life will be Saturday, August 22, Cleaver Hall, Church of Our Savior, 535 W Roses Road, San Gabriel, CA from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
If you feel called to make a Memorial Donation in Paul's name, consider these two nonprofits close to Paul's heart: The Bishop Baraga Association, 615 S Fourth Street, Marquette, MI, 49855, bishopbaraga.org
The Catholic Textbook Project, P.O. Box 4638, Ventura, CA. 93007 catholictextbookproject.com
Canale Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at canalefuneral.com