Robert Jerome LaJoice

Robert Jerome LaJoice, 88, of St. Ignace passed away April 25 at the Highland Cottage Hospice House in Petoskey. Mr. LaJoice was born October 24, 1927 to Albert and Laura (nee Scoon) LaJoice in St. Ignace. He attended the Ursula Academy through 8th grade. Mr. LaJoice went to work on the lakes freighters when he was 16 years old and sailed the Great Lakes for several years. He worked on the Lake Michigan railroad ferries for a season which traveled from Ludington, MI to ports in Wisconsin. He also worked in St. Ignace with his father on the Railroad Car Ferry Chief Wawatam. He was drafted into the US Army after WWII in 1945 and served for 3 years at Fort Benning, GA. He was also stationed in Japan for 2 years. While there he was a sergeant in the 11th Airborne Division and a paratrooper instructor. He married Barbara Mae Mortensen on May 27, 1950. They were married 65 years and had six children. He worked as a Master Electrician and owned and operated LaJoice Electric in St. Ignace for 7 years. He moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1970 where he was the cities Electrical & Building Inspector for 19 years. Wanting to complete his High School Education, he attended night school and graduated in 1977 at Sault Ste. Marie High School with his son Jerome. He retired in 1989 and moved back to St. Ignace where he reinstated LaJoice and Sons Electric. Mr. LaJoice founded Magicians II while living in Sault Ste. Marie with his partner Shane Miller. They toured the Eastern Upper Peninsula entertaining at events with their magician act. He also did other humorous speaking engagements as "Adolph Van Snyder". He was well known for his many jokes and stories. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons. He had a great sense of adventure and a love of travel. He was a member of the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, St. Ignace Right to Life and the Knights of Columbus. He attended various prayer groups and was involved with the Charismatic renewal. He led the EUP prison ministry for many years and was instrumental in founding the St. Mary's Catholic School in Sault Ste. Marie. He is survived by his sister Mary Ringler of Jacksonville, Florida, five sons and one daughter. Stephen (Sue) LaJoice, East Jordan, Mark (Shirley) LaJoice, Jacksonville, FL, Jerome (Gale) LaJoice, Pembine, WI, Matthew (Loni) LaJoice, Timothy LaJoice and Mary Lynn Swiderski, St. Ignace. He was blessed with thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and his wife, Barbara, Mr. LaJoice was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Kerin LaJoice, son-in-law, Victor Swiderski, a grandson, Louie St. Andrew, a brother Noel LaJoice and Sister Phyllis McLean. Visitation will be held at the Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace on Thursday, April 28 from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Friday, April 29 at 11:00 with Father Frank Ricca officiating.

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Robert Jerome LaJoice

April 25, 2016