Richard "Dick" LaJeunesse Sr.

Richard “Dick” Joseph LaJeunesse, passed on to eternal life December 16, 2022 at the age of 69 after a four month battle with cancer in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was born in Marquette, Michigan in 1953 and was the son of Joseph Henry LaJeunesse and Sylvia Marie (Howard) LaJeunesse.
During his time in Marquette, MI, he learned many life lessons from his father and family by logging in the woods, playing guitar, singing around the kitchen table, and working on cars. While in Marquette, he also met the love of his life, his wife of 40 years, Paulette Brumm. In 1980, he and Paulette moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, got married, and raised their family.
In the early 1970s, Dick attended autobody school in Marquette, MI and learned to become a self-made man. He went on to work construction, operate heavy equipment, and own or manage collision repair shops in Green Bay, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas. His true passion in life was antique car restoration where he creatively and beautifully transformed “beaters” to their original integrity “from the frame-up” for many car enthusiasts (including Andy Reed while he was a Packer coach, among others). Through the years he proudly owned many antique cars and his collection of car shirts was renowned, especially when accompanied by his dad’s bolo tie.
While a young man, he sang and played bass guitar in a country band called the “Outlaws” with his late cousin Rick LaJeunesse, brother John LaJeunesse, and friend Dale Daugherty. Classic country was a core part of who Dick was. He had a knack for learning music by ear, which earned him a second nickname “paycheck” after the late country singer Johnny Paycheck. He and his family loved nothing more than singing together as it was a “family tradition.”
Also an athlete, he played baseball as a young man. Big and strong from working in the woods, he hit home runs out of necessity because his bad ankles made it hard for him to run the bases. Golfing with his friends and family was always a pleasure, passing on the game to his son and grandsons. The only thing he loved more than watching the Green Bay Packers was telling them how to play by shouting at them through the TV.
Dick taught his children his love for music, the ability to fix anything, and the “right” way to do life’s tasks. He never knew a stranger, only friends he hadn’t met yet. He loved to travel with his sons’ bands, enjoy their music, and meet people. He always had a project going from gardening, making lawn decorations, and children’s play stuff like swings, go carts, basketball hoops, ice rinks and trampolines. He took pride in owning a variety of Jeep Wranglers that he and Paulette would use to explore and cruise the lovely Green Bay area. They also loved traveling in their recreation vehicle.
Dick was a force, is gone too soon, and will be deeply missed.
Dick is survived by his wife Paulette (Brumm) LaJeunesse and his children; Richard J. LaJeunesse Junior of Green Bay, WI, Bradley G. LaJeunesse of Green Bay, WI, Kristin L. LaJeunesse of Green Bay, WI and Jeffrey W. LaJeunesse (Emily) of Albuquerque, NM. He is also survived by his siblings Debbie LaJeunesse of Marquette, MI, John LaJeunesse of Marquette, MI and Louis Rosenthal (Carol) of Harvey, Michigan. He has many lovely grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Sylvia LaJeunesse, his brother Kenneth LaJeunesse, and his sisters Donna Smith, Marilyn Burgin (Rosenthal), and Jeanie Cheek.
A Memorial Service will be held on December 30, 2022 at the Westside Moravian Church at 1707 South Oneida Street in Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304, with Pastor Marian Boyle Rohloff officiating. Visitation will start at 10am, service at 11am with a luncheon to follow.
The family is very grateful to the hospice team at Aurora Bay Care Green Bay, his family Physician Dr. Gabriel Milhilescue and team, and his oncologist Dr. Amir Bista and team for the excellent care and support they provided.