Patrick Hawkins

Patrick Neil Hawkins

February 3, 1951 – July 2, 2024

Patrick Hawkins, 73, passed away suddenly on July 2, 2024.

He was born February 3, 1951 and was raised by his mother in Dearborn, MI, where he graduated from Fordson High School in 1968. He married Joyce (Pitrone) and they raised their two children in Trenton, MI, where Pat was active in the community — a member of the Trenton Jaycees in the 1980’s, a Trenton Baseball Association coach and a member of their inaugural board of directors, and a Trenton School Board Trustee in the 1990’s. To his kids he was always the ultimate board game player, coach, concert chaperone, and mentor.

He was known for his hard work, embodying one of his favorite songs, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” as he sometimes went against the status quo and did things “his way” in his various professional roles. A business owner in the 1990’s where he had the national fundraising contract for Pop Warner Football, he made a career shift and served as the City of Trenton Parks and Recreation Director from 1997- 2011. He was most proud of his work in Trenton in expanding the ice rink to three sheets of ice and implementing programs like senior transportation. He later served as the Recreation Director for both Allen Park and Flat Rock, recently officially (and some say FINALLY!) retiring in January.

Pat was an avid golfer, never getting the elusive hole-in-one but continuously trying! One of his favorite weeks of the year was volunteering for the Rocket Mortgage Golf Classic in Detroit. For many years he and friends played basketball on Wednesday nights, first in an over-30 league, then by default over-40, over-50, before they stopped counting ages.

His pride and joy, however, were his grandchildren. He loved attending their events, from football, baseball, and basketball games to ice shows, theatre performances, and band concerts.

Pat leaves a legacy of hard work, a loving family, and making friends (and sometimes foes!) wherever he went. He is preceded in death by his mother Maxine Hawkins. He is survived by his daughter Lori Hawkins, his son and daughter-in-law Mike and Stacee Hawkins, his grandchildren Madelyn Hachenski, Andrew Hawkins, Amelia Hachenski, Anthony Hawkins, Gavin Hachenski, and Michael Hawkins. He is also survived by his fiancée and companion Carol Garrison, her daughter and son-in-law Sara and Chance Dalzell and their children Riley and Colton. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial visitation is Friday, July 5th from 2-9 pm at Martenson Funeral Home in Trenton, with eulogies at 6 pm. As Pat would have enjoyed, a future celebration to honor him will be planned later this year.