By Bob Armstrong
The Sanilac Broadcasting Family is mourning the loss of one of its most popular and familiar voices.
Paul Osentoski, who has worked with us since 1980, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the age of 70.
For 38 years, Paul worked full-time as an announcer and engineer. He was best known for his Saturday and Sunday polka shows, where he had a large audience throughout most of lower Michigan. Paul was inducted into the Michigan Polka Hall of Fame in 2005.
During the week in the ’80s and early ’90s, Paul hosted an afternoon oldies show on WMIC radio. Then, from 1995 until he retired from full-time work in 2018, he played the Country Classics on AM-660 between 9:00 a.m. and noon.
Paul continued to do the Sunday Polka Show live each weekend, right up until this last month. Paul was the ultimate professional. He always worked above and beyond his health problems. I can count on one hand the days that he called in and said that he couldn’t be in for his show.
For more than 35 years, Paul was the voice of Sunday mornings–making the trip from his home in Marysville, and always on time. In fact, I think Paul blazed a path ahead of the snowplows just to make it here on time to announce the weather reports and church closing announcements.
This weekend, as a tribute to Paul, we will be rebroadcasting some of his most popular polka shows on Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 17th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Visitation for Paul Osentoski will be held on Thursday, March 21st from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Marysville Funeral Home. A service will follow at 4:00 p.m.
Paul is survived by three brothers–Thomas, Anthony and Joseph, who live in Marysville.
All of us at Sanilac Broadcasting ask you to please remember Paul, and keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
