08/02/2026
Schu’s family lost one of our favorite customers and one of the funniest, smartest people we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Paul Friday was more than a customer—he was a friend. Almost every evening, he’d make the walk over from the Whitcomb just to get out for a while. He’d grab his favorite seat, order a Coke (always with a straw), and spend the evening telling jokes, sharing stories, and making everyone around him smile.
He never forgot to leave a tip, and it was almost always a crisp $2 bill. Those little things became part of who he was.
Whenever someone asked, “Who was that guy?” I’d always smile and say, “If you’ve ever eaten a peach, he probably had something to do with it.” Paul dedicated so much of his life to Michigan’s peach industry, and so many people enjoyed the fruits of his work without ever knowing his name.
It’s somehow fitting—and a little ironic—that he passed during Glad-Peach Festival weekend. Even the road off I-94 at the Coloma exit bears the Friday name, a reminder of the family’s lasting impact on our community.
Paul, thank you for the laughs, the stories, the friendship, and the memories.
Rest in peace, Mr. Friday. You will be deeply missed, and we’ll never forget you. ❤️
