Gilmore Somes

Gilmore R. Somes passed away January 19, 2015 with his family at his side. Gil was born March 22, 1929, one of 13 children of Agnes and Harold Somes. He was 85. Gil lived most of his life in Sault Ste. Marie after growing up on Neebish Island. He left the Sault in 1963 to seek employment downstate. There he found the love of his life, Margie Ensign. The two were married in 1970 and moved to the Sault in 1975, when Gil assumed management of The House of Lighting retail store. A natural salesman, Gil spent most of his working life in some aspect of sales. His personality lent itself to sales. He was a people person, and made friends easily. At the center of most events, Gil was a great organizer and turned most activities into a competition. Gil was involved in many activities, from golf, to fishing, card games and his beloved Lake Superior State athletics. His summer activities centered on “bingo, bango, bongo” at various golf courses, mostly at The Crossings in the Sault. Mostly, Gil loved people and the community. Gil always integrated sports, teaching and mentoring into his life. Over the years, he dedicated time to youth bowling and hockey in his early years, to the Lakers in his later years. Gil said many times that the best job he had, the one he enjoyed most, was as Equipment Manager at Lake Superior State. The Director of Athletics, Bud Cooper, hired Gil in 1981 after Roy Forrest departed for active duty with the U.S. Army. Gil worked with all the Laker athletics teams, but focused on hockey, traveling with the team in the 1980s and ‘90s. He was a fixture at the Norris Center, and spent many hours training students to deal with equipment issues, washing and drying uniforms, ordering equipment, repairing gear and assisting all the Laker teams. Known as “The Cat” to the hockey players, Gil endeared himself to the Laker teams of the 1980s and ‘90s. Every hockey road trip, Gil would either be on board the bus or would come out, prior to departure, with a joke for the players. He was famous for his “skate lace story,” which always emitted a groan from the players but was popular with the veterans and all new material for the freshmen. Gil traveled when the Lakers were in a tournament or the playoffs, and was manning a bench door for all home games and as many away contests as he could make. Always positive, he was a back-slapper and cheerleader on the bench. The coaches appreciated Gil’s enthusiasm and the players loved him. He was a big part of NCAA championship teams in 1988, 1992 and 1994. Gil was known for his chili feeds for hockey and other teams and staff. He called these events ”Gilly’s Chili” and had a couple of such events each year, always at his place at Lake Superior Estates. Over the years, Gil and Marge stayed in touch with most ex-players….they attended weddings and players’ family events. They became close with many Laker athletes, especially hockey players and their families. The Laker family was very important to Gil. Gil was revered by the hockey players and considered an important team cog by the coaches and staffs, be it Frank Anzalone’s staff in the 1980s, Jeff Jackson, Scott Borek or Jim Roque in the ‘90s and into the 2000s. He was ever on the door(s) at home games and most road series. He retired in 1995 but maintained his hockey presence well into the 2000s. Even when the frailties of advanced years forced him to forsake his bench role, Gil was at many a Laker practice and every home game right into 2014. Gil leaves behind his wife, Marjorie; seven children: Brenda (Jay) Welch of Sault Ste. Marie; Wanda (Robert) Marchant of Sterling, VA; Richard B. (Sally) Somes of Sault Ste. Marie,; Debra (David) Harwood of Brimley; Daniel (Debbie) Ensign of Dallas, TX; Harry (Lisa) Ensign of Belleville, MI; Susan Rhodus of Inkster, MI; Sixteen grandchildren: Wendy (Kevin) Ball; Jason (MaryAnne) Welch; Marci (Larry) Hatfield; Joey (Frank) Marchant-Tambone; Kristi Clemow; Ree Somes; Rachael (Jeff) Morency; Courtney (Daniel) Winberg; Kira (Morgan) Mudge; Sara Coats; Benjamin Ensign; Eric Ensign; Trey (Marti) Ensign; Jason (Kasey) Ensign. Also surviving are 27 great grandchildren: Jamie Ball, Taylor Ball, Lyndsey Welch, Molly Welch, Tucker Welch, Jordan Stebelton, Justine Hatfield, Jared Hatfield, Olivia Roberts, Jack Roberts, Anthony Tambone, Martina Clemow, Ree Clemow, Jacob Morency, Sydney Morency, Dillyn Winberg, Tyler Winberg, Aria Mudge, Eli Mudge, Hanna Coats, Bella Coats, Garret Ensign, Easton Ensign, Natalie Samples, Tyler Samples. Gil also leaves behind his brothers and sisters: Mildred Radley of Longmont, CO; Wayne (Jenny) Somes of Sault Ste. Marie; Sharon Woodruff of Richardson, TX; Richard (Noreen) Somes of Lenoir, N.C. Brothers and sisters in law: Annette (Wayne) Hilston of Electra, TX; Ronald (Joan) Brining of Fairfield Glade, TN; Douglas (Liz) Brining of South Lyon, MI; Dorothy (Bill) Weston of Crossville, TN and many nieces and nephews. Gil was predeceased by his son, Ronald Ree Somes, and his brothers and sisters: Jack Somes, David Somes, Eva Jane Harris, Emily Brooks, Rosemond Anderson, Harold Somes and Audrey King. Please join the family for services to be held at Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home on Saturday, January 24, 2015 with visitation from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., with Mr. Tom Cash officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gil Somes Scholarship Fund at Lake Superior State University. Online condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com

Tributes

Gilmore Somes

March 22, 1929 - January 19, 2015