In August, Royal Oak bid farewell to a beloved figure, Patricia Paruch, a former mayor and city commissioner who passed away at the age of 72.

Pat’s journey in the world of politics began in 1979 when, at the age of 28, she boldly declared her candidacy for the city commission. Little did anyone know at the time that this determined candidate would leave an indelible mark on Royal Oak's political landscape. She not only secured a seat to the city commission, but she topped all candidates in the race, garnering the highest number of votes.

By 1983, she had risen through the ranks to become the mayor pro-tem, solidifying her growing influence within the city's administration. Her ascent continued, and in 1989, she decided to aim for the mayor's seat. At just 38 years old, she achieved a landslide victory, winning all but two precincts.

The Royal Oak Tribune endorsed her in '89, shedding light on her decade-long service as a city commissioner, praising her depth, dedication, and commitment to her constituents.

"While she had matured into a seasoned leader, her independence, preparedness, and integrity were recognized and admired, even when her positions differed from the prevailing sentiment," wrote the Daily Tribune.

As mayor, Pat championed numerous causes, including recycling programs, alternative solutions to trash landfills, and the preservation of residential sectors. Her dedication to a robust business community was evident in her voting record in the city commission.

In 1991, she secured a second term as mayor, winning an impressive 56 percent of the vote, reaffirming the trust the community had placed in her. However, after completing her second term, she decided to step down from her mayoral position to pursue a career in law, following her graduation from Wayne State Law School.

Two decades later, she made a triumphant return to Royal Oak's political scene. In 2014, the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously appointed her to fill the vacancy. The commission cited her previous 14-year history on the city commission and her wealth of experience, including serving on the Royal Oak Planning Commission from 1979 to 1993. Her colleagues described her as "fair" and someone who "emphasized strong neighborhoods."

What was initially intended to be a one-year commitment turned into nearly another decade of dedicated service. Most recently, Pat served on the Board of Review, Charter Review Committee, and Commission for the Arts. She had a long history of championing environmental protection and provided leadership as the chairperson of the Downtown Park Taskforce, which played a pivotal role in designing the award-winning Centennial Commons.

Pat’s journey from a young, ambitious candidate to a seasoned and revered leader in Royal Oak's political landscape is a testament to her dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of her community. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders in Royal Oak and beyond.


Colleague Feedback:

Patricia Paruch holds two remarkable records on the city commission: being the youngest woman ever to serve and the oldest woman to have served. Additionally, she proudly holds the title of the longest-serving woman elected official, boasting an impressive tenure of 23 years. Here is what her colleagues had to say about her.


When I reflect on a word that most accurately describes Pat Paruch, it is “passion”. What else could it be to drive a person to dedicate so much time and effort to make Royal Oak such a wonderful community. The city commission, various boards, committees, clubs and organizations were all benefactors of her tireless energy, devotion and hard work. In her roles as both mayor and city commissioner, Pat was essential in reshaping our city into one of the most desirable in the state.
– David J. Poulton, Royal Oak City Commissioner (2009-2017)


Integrity. Commitment to Community. Family. These are the hallmarks of Pat Paruch’s life. Royal Oak is better because of her service. May she rest in peace.
– Dennis G. Cowan. Royal Oak City Commissioner (1987-1993) and Mayor (1993-2001)


Pat Paruch, there are so many wonderful things to say about her, the list would be endless. Anyone who has had a conversation with Pat will never forget her. Boundless intelligence, empathy, insight, and kindness. My perspective on many things was changed by her quiet, clearheaded, and kind thinking. She was and always will be a gem to anyone who knew her.
– Nancy Pirslin, Royal Oak City Commissioner (1985-1993)


I was 26 years old when I was first elected to the Royal Oak City Commission with Pat. While we may not have always agreed on every issue brought before us, one thing for sure is that we always put Royal Oak first. We brought in a balanced budget every year and gave our citizens great police and fire protection and overall public services. I am saddened and will hold Pat and her family in my prayers.
– Robert Stocker, Royal Oak Mayor (1985-1989)


I was privileged to be a friend of Pat Paruch for over 40 years, and a colleague for eight years on the Royal Oak City Commission. Pat was a force of nature, despite her quiet demeanor and unassuming personality, or maybe because of those traits. With thorough preparation and direct explanation of her point of view she showed respect for both her colleagues and the Royal Oak community she represented while being a principal voice in the progress of the city. There was never any doubt that whatever she supported was well thought out and something she believed was in the best interest of Royal Oak.
– David L. Richards, Royal Oak City Commissioner (1983-1991)


When I was appointed to fill the vacant city commission seat in 2017 I was seated next to Pat Paruch. What a blessing! She was my guiding star. I talked to her before every meeting because of her counsel, her sage advice, and her common sense. I don't think anyone made a move to the city commission without getting some kind of reaction from Pat first.
– Marie Donigan, Royal Oak City Commissioner (1997-2005 and 2017)


Pat was my first mentor when I was initially elected to the city commission in 1991. It was her guidance in those early days that helped to solidify my governing philosophy: a strong understanding of governmental functions, procedures and limitations, and an open and welcoming demeanor that encouraged constructive discourse. Pat was a tremendous asset to the city throughout her decades-long career of leadership. She possessed a strong grasp of our history and a principled vision of where we should be heading. Pat was a leader of and for the people – a fiercely loyal friend and advocate for the city she served and loved. May we continue the work she started and prove ourselves worthy of her investment in us.
– Jim Ellison, Royal Oak City Commissioner (1991-1995) and Mayor (2003-2016)

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