Paul Sayotovich, age 62, of Isanti died as the result of an accident June 27, 2016 in Anoka County. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, July 2nd at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti with Fr. Don Wagner as Celebrant. A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. (with a Prayer Service at 6:00 P.M.) Friday, July 1st ALSO AT ST. ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH. Military Honors provided by Isanti VFW Post.
Paul Sayotovich was born April 21, 1954 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Frank and Margaret (Petit) Sayotovich. After graduating from high school in Greenfield, Wisconsin Paul served his country in the US Air Force. During his time in the Air Force he met Jacque Renner in Bismarck, North Dakota. They were married on April 26, 1980 in Glen Ullin, North Dakota and later moved to Isanti, Minnesota where they raised their three children.
Paul worked as a railroad conductor and was employed with Union Pacific for the last eight years. He was an active member at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti. Paul’s patriotism and enthusiasm for motorcycle riding led him to become a proud member of the Patriot Guard. Paul was a part owner of the Green Bay Packers and a lifelong Cheesehead. He loved music and played several instruments but particularly enjoyed playing the drums with friends. More than anything Paul was devoted to his family and loved being “Papa”. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Paul died as the result of an accident June 27, 2016 in Anoka County at the age of 62 years, 2 months and 6 days. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank, and brother-in-law, Alfie Mahr.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Jacque; three sons, Ben (Jodi) Sayotovich, Josh (Rhea) Sayotovich, and Danny Sayotovich; mother, Margaret Sayotovich; five siblings, Marian (Randy) Tobolski, Norma Mahr, Joanne (Jim) Stiglich, Joe (Kathy) Sayotovich, and Peter Sayotovich (Jon Munoz); three grandchildren, Cora, Sophie and Levi; and by many other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project via WoundedWarriorProject.org.
Paul, you will be missed. I had the utmost respect for you and your amazing work ethic. You always had a way to make everyone a better person and work together to get the job done. In the short time I knew you, mainly in the work environment, I always had a great sense of relief to know you were here on the job at Altoona and would get the job done professionally, safely, and on time. In addition, I knew you always made sure everyone around you was kept safe while doing it. I didn’t get to know you outside of work, but I know you were amazing for your family and friends as you were to me in the workplace just by the way you were at work and conducted yourself. I’ve spent the last 24 hours contemplating a lot of things about life and how it can be taken so tragically. Thanks for making a difference in my life; I will always remember you for that. Thanks for the custom made switch key holders to! Rest in Peace…..
Dear family, Paul was an awesme person. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Church and events that our children did together as we all grew together in the community of Isanti. I send my prayers to Jackie and the boys.
Love Brenda Spicer
Please accept our most sincere condolences on Paul’s passing.
from the Tobolski, Kopaczewski, Zabel and Nye families.
Dear Jackie and family,
We were heartbroken to hear the news of Paul’s death. All of us are so sorry for the loss of such a great guy. We will truly miss “Choo Choo” Sayotovich and his big welcoming grin and hug whenever we saw him. Your loss is too big to comprehend. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the whole family and hope you find some comfort in knowing how much your friends care.
In deepest sympathy and love,
Tim and Deb Peterson
Dear Jacque and family,
I have only known Paul for a short time as I am the manager at Snap FItness. I so enjoyed chatting with him and his humor and his love for Wisconsin . He called himself a “gym rat” for which I feel fortunate to have him as a member. I have only lived in Isanti for a little over a year and have worked at Snap since December of last year but I can say I will truly miss him coming in and saying hello Rebecca. He was a kind man and will be truly missed. My heart goes out to his family may they have as many wonderful memories of him as I had.
My prayers and love
Rebecca Curtis
So sorry Paul was taken so early. I remember our trip to Milwaukee when you two got engaged and we took pictures at the planetarium. Such a special time. Love you Jacque. Take care. Hugs and prayers to you and your family. ❤️
Sending my deepest condolences Jacque and family. May God comfort you at this time and give you strength.
Jacque, Ben, Josh, Danny & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God needed another special angel to watch over you all. You have such a great family to lean on during these tough days ahead. Stay strong & remember all those happy memories you all shared together. Thinking of you guys in the coming days & sending special prayers your way.
We are so sad to hear of Paul’s passing. I didn’t know him well but had many occasion to speak to him at family weddings and events. What I remember most about Paul was the way he engaged with me in conversation. He was so kind. I always felt he was interested in me as a person. That’s truly rare. We are so sorry for your loss.
Mary and Larry Tobolski
Jacque, Ben, Josh, Danny, and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you at this difficult time. The memories will forever be in your hearts. May God comfort you and give you strength.
Jacque and the rest of Pauls family and loved ones, I was so very sad to hear that Paul had died in a crash on his motorcycle. This is just such a tragedy and my heart goes out to you all. I know Paul had a strong faith in the Lord and this is comforting though it is just too soon. I pray you will all find peace in knowing that he will be together with you all again for eternity. May your memories be joyful and your sorrow draw you unto God. You are all in my prayers. Please Jacque, if there is anything I can do for you and your family, dont hesitate to ask. I wont be with you at the service as Macs family will be with us at home but I am with you in thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace Paul.
To All, I lost my brother and friend Monday. There are not enough words nor do I have the capacity to describe the loss that we are all going to experience today, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives. For each of us it will be unique. But for all who knew Paul it will leave a gap. Something special has been taken from us. In the last few years my brother and I had grown closer than at any other time in our lives. The separation of time and distance had diminished. The lives we had built with our wives and children could now be fully shared and appreciated. And the two of us have a great deal to be thankful for. Unfortunately God saw fit not to allow us to do so at this time. I admired Paul for his faith, his dedication to his family and his ethics. Its a rough road to walk, but the only one worth walking. I count Paul as one of the richest men I’ve ever known. Not in the sense of material or monetary wealth, but he was a loved man who loved in return and nothing can be more valued than that. As for me I will miss him and his loving goofy ways for the rest of my days. To Jacque, Ben, Jodi, Josh, Rhea, Danny, Cora, Sophie and Levi….. if I had but one wish I would use it to change all this.
My condolences to my co-worker Ben (Benny), The entire Sayotovich family and all their friends for your sudden and tragic loss. May you all find comfort and strength in each other during this most difficult of times, and may God watch over each and everyone of you. Never forget the good times and try to smile and laugh alittle everyday. I did not know Paul but it sounds like he would like that. With deepest sympathy.
Dear Jacque and family.
Our hearts go out to you during this time of sadness. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your loss of Paul. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grieving. May God comfort you always.
Dear Jacque and family, so sorry to hear about Paul. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and we are so sorry for your loss. May you feel all the love that surrounds you during this difficult time.
Dearest Aunt Margaret, Jacque, Ben, Josh, Danny, Cousins, Spouses, and Families,
How to express my sorrow for the grief you are each feeling- or how to bridge the gap for the void in your hearts today is unfathomable. My heart is truly broken and aches for each one of you. I have only prayers to offer for your Peace, and memories of a wonderful man who was so warm and gracious. The few times we had the pleasure of gathering over the years, Paul never let the distance of time or place interfere in his embrace and welcoming conversation. The true sign of his honor to family.
I will not be able to make it today to help send his soul to the heavens, or to stand by all of you in support of this truly tragic event, but I will be praying with you at the time of his service.
With deepest sympathy,
Lynn
To the family and loved ones of Paul Sayotovich,
I don’t know you but I’ve been grieving with you this week because I was there at the accident that night. I was next to Paul at the stoplight at Viking Blvd and I don’t know why but I glanced to my right and saw him sitting on his red Harley next to me, noticed his helmet and brightly colored clothes and saw his face. I looked away as I did not want to seem to stare. I was two cars behind him when the accident happened and I was stopped immediately behind him moments after it happened and called 911. I stayed there for an hour watching the emergency people and the helicopter come for him. I prayed for him all that night, hoping he would be alright.
I just wanted to share with you that I now feel that God told me to look at Paul that night and see him before his accident. I hope that it comforts you to know he looked good, safe and happy on his motorcycle that night, and hope it’s a comfort of some sort that someone noticed him.
I extend my deepest sympathies to you all for your loss.
God Bless,
Kristen Hirsch Montag
The Sayotovich family has our deepest sympathies. Paul stayed with us at the Baymont Inn & Suites, here in Eau Claire Wi., on numerous occasions. He was a delight to speak with and a wonderful guest. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
The Staff at the Baymont Inn & Suites
Wow! I just got back from a vacation and saw this in the news paper. I am so sad to hear that the Big Cheese went up to heaven, but I hope you get your own room to decorate green and gold, man! My condolences to Jacque and the boys.