Gary P. Groleau, 71, of 3672 21st Road, Gladstone (Flat Rock), passed away unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack, Friday January 2, 2009, while wintering in Arizona with his wife Sandra.
Gary was born July 24, 1937, in St. Jacques, the son of Omer and Florestine (Sabourin) Groleau. Gary was the thirteenth child of sixteen siblings. He was raised in St. Jacques and attended the F.W. Good School in Nahma. On July 25, 1959, Gary married the former Marian Sundling, of Isabella, at the Bethany Lutheran Church, in Isabella. Together Gary and Marian made their home, for many years, in Escanaba, where they raised their family on a small beef/hobby farm. Marian passed away on December 21, 1993. On May 27, 1995, Gary married Sandra (Therrien) Young and together they made their home in Flat Rock. Gary was employed as a heating contractor for Thorton Heating, in Evanston, IL, until relocating back to Escanaba in 1972 where he owned and operated Groleau Heating and Air Conditioning until his retirement in 2004. Gary was an active 4-H leader for many years. In addition, Gary served from 1987 to 1992 on the Delta County Road Commission. Gary was very passionate about animals, especially Hereford cattle, which he raised on his hobby farm. Accordingly, Gary was very proud to be a lifetime member of the U.P. Hereford Breeders Association. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, hunting, camping, feeding his birds, playing cards, fishing and wintering in Arizona with his wife Sandra. Family was very important to Gary and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his loving wife Sandra, Gary is survived by:
Two Daughters: Caryn (Rob) Mitchell of Escanaba, MI; Janelle (Kevin) Wigand of Escanaba, MI
Son: Brian (Gisella) Young of Kansas City, Kansas
Two Brothers: Gerald (Lorayn Thorin) Groleau of Escanaba, MI; Wade (Marlene) Groleau of St. Jacques, MI
Three Sisters: Rita LaBumbard of Escanaba, MI; Rosalyn Plas of St. Jacques, MI; Anita (Edward) Lamberg of Ensign, MI
Eleven Grandchildren: Rhiannon Groleau of Flint, MI, Laci and Heidi Mitchell of Escanaba, MI, Justin, Jessie, Kassidy and Karly Wigand of Escanaba, MI, Robbie and Gregory Young of Powers, MI and Ramses and Seti Young of Kansas City, Kansas
Great Granddaughter: Kyrsten Young of Powers, MI
God Daughter: Loita (Mike) Buchholtz of Escanaba, MI
Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Florestine:
Wife: Marian on December 21, 1993
Son: Clark Groleau on August 27, 1990
Five Brothers: Rudolph, Edward, Emil, Leo and Rosario Groleau
Three Sisters: Leila Moser, Irene Clement and Loretta Pomeroy
Gary
Anonymous
Dearest Sandy,
We just heard about Gary and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our hearts go out to you as we know how much you loved Gary and will miss him. You & Gary were immediate friends with your magnetic personalities and smiles. We will always remember the great time in Az last year with you and Gary. We will miss you there this year. Please feel the ((hug)) we are sending you. May God Bless you and send you the strength to move forward. If there is anything we can do for you please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Jim & Karen Paulin
Escanaba, MI
Sandy, Caryn, Rob & family;
I am sorry for your loss. Gary will be missed by many, he was one of my most memorable mentors as a 4-H kid at the U.P. State Fair. He will always be in my heart as a fun, smiling, giving man.
Kris Shaw
Skandia, MI
Dear Rita and Families,
Growing up in Rapid River-Ensign area, my parents, Lawrence and Cleo (Langford) Wils, took us to visit their friends Leila, Emil, Rudy–the Groleau family so we became friends of their children! I enjoyed those visits and continued the tradition when living in Upper Michigan or home on a visit and have memories that bring a smile!
I just want to let you know I’m thinking of all of you and have you in my prayers.
Barbara Wils Royer
Portales, NM
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. He was one of my favortie customers that came to the Delta Pub on friday nights. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cyndi Boden
Gladstone, MI
With our deepest sympathy to the Gary Groleau family in this time of their great loss.
Ray and Debbie Juneau
Iron Ridge, WI
I am so saddened by Gary’s passing. Although I’d always known who he was (my Aunt Anita’s little brother), I didn’t get to meet him until we moved from the UP, to Evanston, in the late 1950s. Gary was godfather to my oldest daughter, Tina, and we enjoyed many times together until his family moved back to Michigan in the early 70s.
Gary was a good guy. The kind of good guy everyone should meet in one’s lifetime. He will be truly be missed. I’m really sad about this.
Marvel
Arlington Heights, IL
Uncle Gary will always be treasured in my heart for his sense of mischief. We Plas ‘city-kids’ were one of his favorite targets when Mom (Rosalyn Groleau Plas) and Dad (Leo) would bring us to the UP each summer. He and” Uncle Wade were always full of ideas of “fun-stuff for the city-kids to try. (much to the concern of Mom!) He will be missed.
Lynell Marcus
Castle Rock, CO
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Wish we could be there but we just can’t get away. We always loved his sense of humor.
Love
Ron and Joanne Ostrega
Wood Dale, IL
Sandy and Family
Although I only had a short time in knowing Gary, his kindness to others was a quality that many men need in thier lives!!! I know he will be missed by all, that were blessed by his good nature and kindly ways!!!
Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.
Ronny Gilmore and his Sons Scott, Benny and Corey
Ron Gilmore
Kincheloe, MI
Caryn, Sandy & family,
First of all, our deepest sympathy to all of you.
We will always remember Gary as a very caring and quite humerous guy. As we camped with all of you for the past few years, the memories made will never be forgotten.
If there is anything our family can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless…..
Bob, Lori, Tyler & Dylan Krause
Gladstone, MI
Sandy and Family-
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time. Gary’s smiling face will be missed at the U.P. State Fair. Take care and God Bless.
The Tom & Cherryl Reynolds & Tammi (Reynolds) Hill Family
Watson & Cooks, MI
Sandy and Janelle we are so sorry to hear about you loss. your in our thoughts and prayers ! love the McEvoys
Shelly Beauchamp
Bark River, MI
Sincere sympathy to the familes of gary. I did not know him very well but knew Sandy and family since my childhood. This will be a hard time for all of you. Remember the smiles and laughs, the memories will help to guide you through the sorrow.
God bless you all
Love,
Amy (Jensen) Constatnino and family
Gladstone, MI
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. Even though I haven’t seen him in a very long time I have nice memories of him from when I was younger. Again, I am sorry your loss.
Tina Haddad
Arlington Heights, IL
Sandy,To one of our oldest and dearest friends. We send our condolences from Costa Rica. May Gary rest in peace and we hope you are doing well, even thought it is quite a shock.
Love your friends,
Red and Jake
Gladstone, MI
Sandy,
So sorry to hear about Gary’s sudden passing-you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn (Tomasoski) Labadie
Bark River, MI
Sandy and Caryn,
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Garys passing. I think of your family often and want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie (Searle) Lindley
Asheville, NC
Our condolence to the family – So sorry for your loss.
Elmer and Bev Seymour
Milwaukee, WI
To Sandy & family,
The sadness of the passing of Gary is felt by many. May the thought of knowing that friends share in your sadness be of comfort to you. We will surely miss him.
Diana & Larry Gurley
Bullhead City, AZ
Aunt Sandy,
I am very sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathy. Gary was a good man and my mom and dad always spoke highly of him. At times like this one never really knows what to say. I wish I could make another trip home right now. This summer was the best vacation I’ve had in a long, long time. It was great to see you and Gary and the whole family. Hopefully, I will make it home again this summer. If there is anything I can do please don’t hesitate to ask.
Love,
Lou Young
Washougal, WA
I will always remember your dad joking around with me at the Fair. Sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Patti Solis-Powell
San Diego, CA
Sandy,
I was so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I just want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen
Temperance, MI
Sandy – Please accept mine and Bob’s sympathy over the sudden passing of Gary. What a shock for all of us to hear that. You and your family continue to be in our prayers. Love you.
Sandra Zahorik
Crivitz, WI
We just read of Gary’s death and we want to express our sympathy. We had known Gary as friend and business man since we moved from Ohio 31 years ago. We will all miss him. We fly out Tues (tomorrow) for FL.
Jim & Lois Boydston
Escanaba, MI
To the Groleau Family,
We are very sorry to hear about Gary. He was a wonderful person and a good neighbor to us when we lived in Danforth. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mike and Sheila Servant
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Sandy & Caryn
Our thoughts have been with you all of this time and just can’t get it off of our minds. Hopefully Gary was happy he was coming to having a good time with the Arizona Snowbirds..you are in our prays and thoughts. Take care!!!
John & Lois Pinar
Bullhead City, AZ
Sandy & Karen,
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing while on your way to enjoy your winter in Arizona. While distance does not allow us to attend the funeral please accept our prayer for your family to get through this. I’m sure you will have many difficult days ahead of you but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Wendy (Pinar) Mielock & Family
Grand Rapids, MI