Joseph "Joe" Paul Patrell

Joseph “Joe” Paul Patrell October 31, 1932 – June 7, 2025 Joseph “Joe” Paul Patrell, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Brighton, Michigan, following a heart attack on June 7, 2025. He was surrounded by his partner of 6 years, Carole Urban.

Born on October 31, 1932, in Highland Park, Michigan, Joe was the eldest child of the late Joseph and Anna Fera Patrell. He grew up alongside his beloved siblings, Rosalie and Ralph, both of whom preceded him in death. After serving in the U.S. military, Joe began a long and successful career at General Motors. Initially working as a technical illustrator, he later transitioned into process engineering, where he helped create training and reference manuals that supported the company’s operations for decades. He retired in 1986 then actively pursued interests he had set aside for decades, developing his artistic skills and RV traveling.

 Joe met the love of his life, Janet Santella, and they married on October 20, 1956. Together they made their home in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and raised a large, loving family. Joe and Janet were married for 63 years until her passing in 2019. They had six children, and while their first daughter, Ellen, died in infancy, their devotion to family only deepened over the years.

Following his retirement, Joe designed and built a home on Pine Hills Lake in Horton, Michigan — a welcoming space meant to gather generations. He loved nothing more than seeing his children, their spouses, and his growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered under one roof, sharing meals, stories, and laughter. In his last six years of life, he enjoyed spending time with his partner, Carole.

Joe is survived by his partner of six years, Carole Urban, and his five children: Lisa Patrell (Joseph Fazio) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Joseph Patrell (Susan Patrell) of South Lyon, Michigan; Daniel Patrell (Constance Walker) of Frederick, Maryland; Laura Patrell of Skokie, Illinois; and Linda Patrell of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the proud grandfather of Meredith, Graehm, Evelyn, Lauren, Joseph Ryan, Jacqueline, Charlie, Sophia, Camden, Alessia, Aeddon, Bennett, Cameron, and Ella. He was also blessed to be the great-grandfather of Robin and Gale, children of his granddaughter Lauren (Joseph Cusimano).

Services will take place on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00AM (10AM gathering), at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Brighton, Michigan. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate Joe’s life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Joe’s memory to Meals-on-Wheels or The Community Art Project at the Ella Sharpe Museum. Details are below.

Meals-on Wheels, Livingston County Michigan, send a check to this address Livingston County Senior Nutrition Program (LCSNP) 11600 Grand River Ave Brighton, MI 48116 Community Art Project at the Ella Sharpe Museum, Jackson County Michigan, donate on-line https://ellasharpmuseum.org/support/community-artwork-project

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