Eastern Michigan Athletics
E-Club Hall of Fame Member Charlie Paige Passes Away
2/12/2021 5:26:00 PM | E-Club
Paige played football, basketball, and baseball for Eastern in the early 1950s
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University E-Club Hall of Famer Charlie Paige passed away Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the age of 90. Paige, who was inducted into the E-Club Letterwinners Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, played football, basketball, and baseball at EMU in the 1950s.
After graduated from Trenton High School in 1949, Paige attended Eastern Michigan until being drafted in 1952. He served in the Army until 1954 then returned to EMU to graduate with his degree in education. He was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams, including being named captain of the baseball team in 1950-51. Paige also coached freshman football and assisted in baseball for one year at EMU before beginning his high school coaching career.
Paige began coaching basketball at Harbor Springs in 1956 and coached the Rams for 27 years, posting a 401-168 record. Paige's Harbor Springs teams won 17 conference and district championships and nine regional titles and finished as Class D state runners-up in 1976 and 1974. He was named Coach of the Year by The Detroit News in 1976.
In addition to basketball, Paige also spent time coaching football and baseball.
He is a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, Michigan High School Coaches Association, Eastern Michigan and Trenton High School Sports Halls of Fame. Additionally, the high school's basketball court named in his honor.
Upon retirement, Paige discovered a new passion in life as he evolved from creating basic to intricately carved birds which were generously gifted to friends and family alike. His carvings were featured in the May/June 2015 edition of Hunting and Fishing Collectables magazine. He and wife, Nancy, also traveled to 43 National Parks, visiting with family and friends along the way.
A recent highlight was his 90th birthday parade, complete with a decorated school bus and fire engine, along with over 50 cars. Paige considered that celebration his " final goodbye". His family extends special thanks to Nona Carr, Suzanne Seacord, Cynthia Zumbaugh, and Preston MacGregor for orchestrating and documenting that memorable event. Charlie received over a hundred birthday cards, countless texts and calls from friends and former students all over the world.
Paige is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Nancy Brookfield Paige, his children Charlie Scott Paige (Diana), Jeri Paige Wilson (the late James), and Garett James Paige, grandchildren, Paige, Katie, Nichole, Kay, Brooke and Mackenzie and great-grandchildren Hailey, Emily, Clete, Bryan and Charles. He is also survived by special friends Edwin Stolt, Nona Carr and the Duncan family from Cedarville.
No memorial service is scheduled at this time; his family intends to have a celebration of his life later. People wishing to make a contribution are asked to direct it to the Harbor Springs Rams Booster Club for the Charlie Paige Scholarship Fund or to the Redmond/Friendship/CrossVillage Fire Department.
After graduated from Trenton High School in 1949, Paige attended Eastern Michigan until being drafted in 1952. He served in the Army until 1954 then returned to EMU to graduate with his degree in education. He was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams, including being named captain of the baseball team in 1950-51. Paige also coached freshman football and assisted in baseball for one year at EMU before beginning his high school coaching career.
Paige began coaching basketball at Harbor Springs in 1956 and coached the Rams for 27 years, posting a 401-168 record. Paige's Harbor Springs teams won 17 conference and district championships and nine regional titles and finished as Class D state runners-up in 1976 and 1974. He was named Coach of the Year by The Detroit News in 1976.
In addition to basketball, Paige also spent time coaching football and baseball.
He is a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, Michigan High School Coaches Association, Eastern Michigan and Trenton High School Sports Halls of Fame. Additionally, the high school's basketball court named in his honor.
Upon retirement, Paige discovered a new passion in life as he evolved from creating basic to intricately carved birds which were generously gifted to friends and family alike. His carvings were featured in the May/June 2015 edition of Hunting and Fishing Collectables magazine. He and wife, Nancy, also traveled to 43 National Parks, visiting with family and friends along the way.
A recent highlight was his 90th birthday parade, complete with a decorated school bus and fire engine, along with over 50 cars. Paige considered that celebration his " final goodbye". His family extends special thanks to Nona Carr, Suzanne Seacord, Cynthia Zumbaugh, and Preston MacGregor for orchestrating and documenting that memorable event. Charlie received over a hundred birthday cards, countless texts and calls from friends and former students all over the world.
Paige is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Nancy Brookfield Paige, his children Charlie Scott Paige (Diana), Jeri Paige Wilson (the late James), and Garett James Paige, grandchildren, Paige, Katie, Nichole, Kay, Brooke and Mackenzie and great-grandchildren Hailey, Emily, Clete, Bryan and Charles. He is also survived by special friends Edwin Stolt, Nona Carr and the Duncan family from Cedarville.
No memorial service is scheduled at this time; his family intends to have a celebration of his life later. People wishing to make a contribution are asked to direct it to the Harbor Springs Rams Booster Club for the Charlie Paige Scholarship Fund or to the Redmond/Friendship/CrossVillage Fire Department.
2024 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, September 21
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Gina Tempro
Thursday, September 19
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Matt Shoemaker
Thursday, September 19
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Tavelyn James
Thursday, September 19