Reverend Donald L. Shiroda

Father Don Shiroda, 83, dies and leaves a legacy. Fr. Don Shiroda was born April 30, 1927, son of Mabel and Louis Shiroda. After high school and working for Thornton Construction Co. of Hancock, MI he served in the U.S. Marine Corp. In 1950 he entered the Seminary in Kitchner, Ontario at St. Jerome''s, he then moved to St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, WI. Two years later he finished theological training at St. Johns in Plymouth, WI in 1959. Fr. Don began his career as a priest serving as an assistant pastor for St. Gregory Church in Newberry, MI. Subsequently he served in St. Thomas, Escanaba, St Agnes, Iron River, St. Albert the Great, Houghton, Marquette''s St. Christopher, Calumet''s St. Paul the Apostle, Immaculate Conception in Iron Mountain, Sacred Heart, L''Anse. In 1986 he moved to St. Joseph Church in Sault Ste. Marie and remained there for 23 years until his retirement in 1997. He made his home at Freighter View Assisted Living until his death on March 16, 2011. Among the many achievements are the establishments of the Caring House in Iron Mountain in 1981(a safe home for abused women and children) and the Hope House established in 1989 in Sault Ste. Marie (a home for women in recovery of substance use). Thousands of women across the Upper Peninsula have found a new life as a result of Father Don''s support and spiritual guidance while residing in one of these homes. Countless others from all walks in life have experienced Father Don''s deep, unwavering love and consolation when they needed it. He served throughout the U.P. in a multitude of capacities; Diocesan Director for Vocations, Sacramental Minister to Catholic Campus Ministry at Lake Superior State University, performed mass at Hiawatha Correctional Facility, Chaplain for numerous community and civic organizations, Parochial administrator, Dean of the Soo Deanery, Co-Pastor and Pastor of over 20 Churches throughout the U.P. He celebrated his 50th year as a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2009. The people of the Soo knew him as the season ticket holder and one of the many cheering fans for the Lake Superior State University ''Lakers'' Hockey Team. He is survived by numerous friends and family and countless parishioners across the U.P. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Father Don to St. Mary''s Catholic School (360 Maple St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783), Hospice of the E.U.P. (508 Ashmun St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or FreighterView Assisted Living (605 W. Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783). Deep Appreciation goes to the Freighter View Staff and War Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be held 5:00pm until 9:00pm Sunday March 20, 2011 at St. Joseph''s Catholic Church with prayers at 7:00pm and also on Monday March 21, 2011 from 9:00am until 12 noon. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12noon Monday March 21, 2001 at St. Joseph''s Catholic Church with The Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample, Bishop of Marquette as Celebrant and The Most Rev. James H. Garland, retired Bishop of Marquette with Priests of the Diocese as concelebrants. Burial will be in Forrest Hill Cemetery, Houghton, Michigan. Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com.

Tributes

Reverend Donald L. Shiroda

April 30, 1927 - March 16, 2011