Paul A. "Spike" Yonker, Sr.

Paul Austin "Spike" Yonker Sr., age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence, Rhode Island, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Chester Peter and Frances Marie (Bartlett) Yonker. Spike grew up on his family's dairy farm, Hollowdale Farm, on Winter Street in South Walpole. As a young boy, he found his love for the ice, lacing up his skates to play pond hockey with his neighborhood friends. Spike brought his hockey skills to Walpole High School, where he was a member of the 1965 Championship team before his graduation in 1966. Following his graduation, Spike took a job with Jack Madden Ford in Norwood working as a mechanic.

In February of 1968, as the war in Vietnam escalated, Spike was drafted into the United States Army. After completing basic training, he was quickly transported overseas, serving in Vietnam for eight months. Upon his return stateside, Spike was stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey, completing his term of service in February of 1970, having attained the rank of Specialist.

Returning home to Walpole, Spike found work with Home Improvement, serving as a mechanic and excavator. He went on to work with Nelson Loring in a similar capacity. With his skill set well developed, Spike ventured out on his own, forming P.A. Yonker Contracting on September 19, 1978. Spike's career spanned over four decades, from municipal contract work to helping his neighbors, as there was nothing he couldn't do. He was a jack of all trades, often implementing a "custom made tool" to complete any task in front of him. Spike was heavily involved with drainage projects in Walpole and the surrounding towns, but also took on site work projects, including prepping for the capping of the Walpole landfill, re-grading the landscape at Saint Francis Cemetery, and countless residential excavating projects. As winter set in, Spike changed out his buckets for plows, ensuring the roads of Walpole were safe for travel. He also generously donated his time and efforts to plow out the South Walpole United Methodist Church and the United Church in Walpole. After 42 years of hard work and ingenuity, Spike retired in December of 2021, but only after completing just one more project for a neighbor.

While Spike spent most of his life on Winter Street, there were a few years he spent on Grover Street in Walpole. This was arguably one of the most important moves he could have made as it is where he would be reconnected with childhood friend and future wife, Patricia Rockwood. Spike and Pat were married on September 23, 1989, at United Church in Walpole. A year later, Spike completed his new home on Winter Street, and the couple returned to the land adjacent to the old family homestead. Spike made sure the property was perfectly maintained and even built himself a shop to run his company out of and to store his equipment.

Throughout his life, Spike never lost his love for hockey. He continued playing for many years in the "Over the Hill" league, taking to the ice with a big smile on his face. He also helped chaperone Paul's hockey trip. Paul had been part of team USA made up of hockey players from eastern MA. They flew to Charmonix, France to play hockey against other teams from Europe. While they were there, they did visit the Olympic museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The museum was his favorite. The red, white and blue jacket he frequently wore, was from that trip with Paul. As his daughter Annie began lacing up her own skates, Spike took up the role of coaching, supporting his daughter all the way through high school. He sourced the trailer that the girls sold Christmas Trees out of at Stop and Shop in Walpole, making sure it was set up with everything that they might need. Spike's Christmas spirit did not end with the Girl's Ice Hockey Team Tree Sale, but rather carried into downtown Walpole, delivering and setting up the holiday displays with the Chamber of Commerce every November.

Spike found his peace in nature, hunting the wildlife with his camera. He looked forward to trips up to Moosehead Lake in Maine, camping at either Lily Bay Campground or Casey's Spencer Bay Campground, depending on who was going with him. The perfect day at camp was spent in a canoe with a fishing rod and a camera, catching the natural beauty that surrounded him. In more recent camping seasons, Spike and Pat purchased a camper, venturing to Moosehead Lake, New Hampshire, Cape Cod, and even to Indianapolis, with all the comforts of home on the road. Once the weather turned cold, it was time to store the tents and break out the skis, heading north for an adventure on the slopes. Spike enjoyed the slopes of Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, Mount Snow in Vermont, and Sutton in Quebec. The ski season ended the same way every year with a men's trip in late March, holding out for a few more runs and some laughs. Spike enjoyed tropical destinations as well, visiting Bermuda and the Caribbean with Pat. Together, Spike and Pat joined their friends and family for Couples Weekend, a tradition born on Cape Cod that moved in recent years to York, Maine.

Beloved husband of Patricia Rockwood Yonker.

Loving father of Vicky Lyn Ouellet and her husband Todd of Seekonk, Paul A. Yonker, Jr. and his fiancée Laurie White of Norfolk, and Annie Smith Yonker of Malden.

Cherished Grampy of Tiffany C. Byrnes of North Attleboro and Lillian J. Yonker of Norfolk.

Brother of John Bartlett Yonker and his wife Cheryl of Walpole, and the late Chester "Pete" Yonker.

Brother-in-law of Robert Rockwood and his late wife Kirsten of Needham, Thomas Rockwood and his wife Kathy of Marshfield, Richard Rockwood and his wife Melissa of Foxborough, and the late Alan "Moody" Rockwood and his surviving wife Terry of Franklin.

Devoted uncle to many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Also survived by countless friends, neighbors, and colleagues, including the Norfolk Dunkin Donuts crew.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Spike's Life Celebration on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

At the request of Spike's family, his funeral service will take place privately with interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Spike's name may be made to Walpole Food Pantry P.O. Box 43, Walpole, MA 02081, or by visiting https://www.wcfp.org/