• Tuesday-What'sUP September 22 - 12:43 pm

What goes around, comes around, that's how the saying goes and it couldn't be more fitting for Calumet resident, Paul Bracco, who recently passed away. He was a volunteer fireman, "Mr. Zamboni" at the ice arena and an all around great guy who gave to his community his whole life long. His obituary is one to be proud of, so in true Yooper fashion, the brotherhood of firemen across the Keweenaw came together to honor his life and take him to his final resting place.

He was transported from the church atop a fire truck, with firemen walking beside and behind him through the streets of Calumet, to the fire station, where two ladder trucks formed an arch with a gigantic American Flag suspended between them. On either side of the road were fire trucks from numerous departments in the Keweenaw, which then formed a procession that took him to the cemetery.

It was quite the tribute to a special man who never stopped giving of himself. And it is how the Copper Country remembers and honors their volunteer firefighters. RIP Paul Bracco...

Special thanks to Dottie Abe and Barb Bouwkamp for supplying us with today's photos.

I must admit the first photo scared me for a bit seeing how I have been feeling ill lately myself, then I read the rest of the story. The last photo is a nice final tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community he loved. Copper King games just won't be the same without "Mr. Zamboni"!

I found this shot back in the archives, in the armory, February of 1999, and wondered if it was Paul driving the Zamboni that day:

Nice pix...it's nice to be remembered by so many.
...and I didn't get it at first, Capt then I looked at the sign.

Small town America and how they remember their faithful community members is so heart warming. Our Lord's blessings to Paul's friends and family.

This is so sad but what a wonderful tribute paid to one so deserving. May he rest in peace, and dear Lord, please comfort his family.

Rest In Peace Sir

Oh how sad!! On the other hand, how loved was he
that he had a going out party the likes of this
one?? I wish I could have known him. It seems he
was a wonderful man. Love these pictures and
especially the last one. Thank you for sharing
this with us.

Janie, that's a sweet picture on your 'profile'.

Sorry to lose a brother.

Paul Bracco is a part of hockey history at the
"Armory." He will be sorely missed by all who knew
him.

The LOVE and outgoing response of the COPPER
COUNTRY toward my uncle was so over whelming, He
was well loved by the community he served.I'am
proud to say he was my uncle.

Rest in Peace, Paul.

My condolences, Dean.

Another Copper Country icon will be laid to rest on Thursday:
Bob Nara. Bob was a real encourager of this website, who
along with his wife Ruth cheered on Edie and me when we
started Day in History, along with our other daily features. He
encouraged us early on to support causes that were dear to
them, like the Copper Country Humane Society.

Our condolences to Ruth and her family on their loss.

Charlie at Pasty Central (Chopper):

"Another Copper Country icon will be laid to rest on Thursday:
Bob Nara. …"

Oh no, cousin Bob Nara (second cousin), what a shock!

Of course we hadn't seen each other since my college days at da Tech (MTU), when Bob — the greatest dentist on planet Earth — did some major dental work for me. For many years thereafter, all the Army dentists I saw while in the service routinely remarked on the beautiful work he had done. Oh it's been so long — great heavens, I've never even met Ruth!

Condolences to Ruth and the family, for sure.

Stop by and visit (click →) Bob and Ruth Nara's web site, check out their Projects, and some of Bob's Home Dental Help, Life Lessons, and Investing Ideas.

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Quote:

Money By The Mouthful is the first and only book ever written that tells the public what they really need to know about all of the unfair treatment that they are faced with at the hands of dentists…. Shocking exposes of the methods dentists use to extract your money while pretending to be concerned about your dental well-being. If you are tired of drilling, patching and pulling the only way to protect yourself is to read this book before ever going to the dentist again.

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Condolences, FRNash, and to the rest of the family of Bob Nara.
Charlie and Edie, so sorry for your loss of a long-time friend.

I, too, am sorry for your loss.

Charlie...the gentleman driving the Zamboni is bob rowe from kearsarge.