Merlin J. Fournier

Merlin “Gee” Fournier “The Living Legend of the St. Mary’s”. age 72, died peacefully at 5:45am on Saturday January 28, 2012 at War Memorial Hospital, due to complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s’ Disease). He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews and in the arms of his loving wife of 39 years, 5 hours and 45 minutes as he went on to be with his savior.“Gee”, (as his father nicknamed him as a child and he was known to all friends and family) was born July 25, 1939 to Edourd Charles and Ruth (Hermanson) Fournier in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Gee enjoyed spending his time fishing the waters of the St. Mary’s, where he spent most of the days and nights of better than 65 years of his life. Most days and nights you could see him hooked behind the Edison Sault Power Plant, 6 poles sticking out of the boat, waiting for his catch, which usually amounted in more than the limit! After the weather turned cold enough to make 2 inches of ice, he would drag his fish shack onto mosquito Bay, to spear fish through the ice. His children, grandchildren and numerous Algonquin friends and neighbors, as well as strangers he had never met learned to fish the St. Mary’s from this legend. He also enjoyed the yearly hunting trip to camp on Drummond Island, where he always met with family and close friends to hunt the 2 weeks with loved ones. This is where his children and grandchildren learned to hunt and enjoy the woods and wilderness. He enjoyed traveling, his favorite spot the Grand Canyon, where he visited more than a dozen times, snapping pictures and making films. He loved to show the films to family and friends, of all of these things he loved; his greatest love was for his family, especially grandkids. The grandkids made his days bright and he always had a story to tell them or a lesson to teach. He also loved his dog, “Raven” who was always at his side.Gee is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Jenerou) whom he married on January 27, n1973. Children, Merlin James (Joanne) of Grand Rapids, Edward (Lisa) Jenerou of Kincheloe, Paul (Jami) of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Beth (Jeff) Gerou of Wolverine, Anna of California and Victoria “Torry” (Randy) Ruddell of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Grandchildren, Kim Garlinghouse and James (Amanda) Garlinghouse all of Kincheloe. Stephanie (Gerald) Fournier Rhinehart of Traverse City, Michigan. Harley Fournier, Sierra and Nicholas Reynolds of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Jace and Jolyssa Jenerou of Kincheloe, Michigan Jazmyn Fournier and Justin and Adelyn Pascoe all of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Also 5 great grandchildren; siblings, Marc (Linda), Edward “Buck” (Maddie), Marie Pingatore, Lorretta “Pete” (Nick) Madrid, Blanche Kivenen. Many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Also very special friends Thomas Rodney and James Calery, and his faithful “Raven”. Gee was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Charles and Lorraine (Miller) Jenerou, brother Raleigh and sons Sidney in 1974 and Jeffrey in 1988. Brothers-in-law Eugene Pingatore and Oliver Kivenen.Visitation will be 10:00am until 12 noon on Wednesday February 1, 2012 at Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 12 noon Wednesday February 1, 2012 at Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Witte officiating.

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Merlin J. Fournier

July 25, 1939 - January 28, 2012