Ralph Wilcox

Ralph Woodrow Wilcox, age 77, of Brimley, Mich. passed away Sunday morning, May 26, 2019, at the Robert and Helen Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. with his family by his side. He was born on January 23, 1942, in Sault Ste. Marie. Ralph was the only son of Woodrow and Hazel Wilcox. Ralph attended Brimley Area Schools, graduating in 1959. After finishing high school, Ralph went on to work as a dredgeman for Dunbar and Sullivan. Ralph was a third-generation commercial fisherman. He and Shirley owned Wilcox's Fish House and Restaurant for 26 years, as well as sold fish wholesale. Ralph loved to talk about the Great Lakes fishing industry, giving many interviews about the subject. He was even involved in a documentary about this, titled Project Ice. Ralph was an advisor on the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and a member, as well as past president, of the Michigan Fish Producers Association. He was involved in Brimley's Lions Club for many years and was a former fire chief for the Bay Mills Volunteer Fire Department. He received Brimley Area School's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, giving a speech and accepting the award at the high school's graduation ceremony. Ralph married Shirley (McLean) Wilcox on December 10, 1960. They were married for 58 years. Together they operated the fishing business and raised their three children: Jeffrey, Daniel and Kristine. Ralph was an active member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, sitting on their conservation committee. He attended The Gospel Chapel in Dollar Settlement for many years. Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his seven granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. He will meet his fourth great-grandchild, Sebastian, in heaven. Ralph is survived by his loving wife Shirley; siblings: Kim (George) Tull of Gatesville, Texas, and Barb (Bill) Anderson of Brimley; sister-in-law Sue Malicoat of Caro, Mich.; children: Jeffrey (Cal) Wilcox of Marysville, Wash., Daniel (Kim) Wilcox, and Kristine Wilcox both of Brimley; grandchildren: Rachel Green, Kelly (Jordan) Flores, Cassandra (James MacQuarrie) Wilcox, Lauren (Chris Bjork) Wilcox, Samantha (Dylan) Schroeder of Everett, Wash., Morgan Osborn and Olivia Wilcox; and great-grandchildren: Aubree Wilcox, Sophie Steele and Jameson Green, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents: Woodrow and Hazel Wilcox; sister: Sharon Fegan; mother and father-in-law: Lois and Howard McLean; brother-in-law Ron McLean; great-grandson: Sebastian Schroeder; and Lewis and Jessie Atkinson. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019, from 2-3:30 p.m. at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home in Sault Ste. Marie. A memorial service will follow visitation at 3:30 p.m. with Pastor Leroy Case officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of the EUP in Ralph's memory.

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Ralph Wilcox

January 23, 1942 - May 26, 2019