Francis "Bud" Mansfield

Francis M. - Bud- Mansfield - On Wednesday, April 7, 2010 our amazingly wonderful father, husband, brother, grandpa and great grandfather said good-bye and passed away peacefully after 82 years of a full and joyous life. Bud was born in Sault Ste. Marie on October 14,1927 to Elmer and Isabelle Mansfield. In December 1948, he married his lovely and fiercely devoted spouse and partner of 62 years, Mary Aldrich. Mary and Bud have eight children, Susan (Paul) Suilivan, Nancy (John) Swart, Barbara (Todd Yaple) Mansfield, Joan (Joe) Claxton, Jeffrey (Carolyn) Mansfield, Judy (Randy) Turner, Michael (Leisa) Mansfield, and Patrick Mansfield. Bud and Mary also have 18 grandchildren ranging in age from 35 to 8. They are Jennifer, Brian, Jeffrey and Caitlin Sullivan, Kate Kempfert, Marty and Molly Yaple, Charlie, Jeffrey, and Annie Claxton, Seth, Luke, Matthew, and Michael Mansfield, Rachel Mender and Andy Castagne, and Emma and Basil Mansfield. In addition, Bud had the joy of welcoming two great grandchildren into the family, Meghan and Brady Sullivan. Bud attended school in Sault, Michigan and was a member of the original class at Sault Branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now LSSU). He was employed for many years in the automobile business, and ended his working career when he retired as the Executive Director of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce at age 73. Bud''s history of service to his community is long. He was involved for many years with the Sault Board of Education, actively participated in Many roles at Nativity, St. Mary''s and St. Joseph Parishes, a founder and Board member of the Chippewa County Community Foundation, a developer of the Sault Convention and Tourist Bureau, a founder and Board member of the River of History Museum, recipient of many service awards from the city of Sault Ste. Marie, LSSU, VFW, and both the Sault, Michigan and Sault, Ontario Chambers of Commerce. Bud was an active Rotarian and past recipient of the Rotarian of the Year Award, a founder of the Algonquin Ski Trails, and a member of the International Bridge Authority. In addition, Bud authored "The Ashumn Street Philosopher" a bi-weekly column for The Evening News, for many years. Bud enjoyed sunshine, the outdoors, long drives with Mary, good food , boating and reading, watching the freighters on the St. Mary''s River, his dialysis family, and all sports, especially football. He cherished time spent with family, and never tired of visiting and playing with his grandchildren. Although the list of accomplishments is long, Bud''s real contribution to all of us was his kindness, integrity, humility, and loyalty to family and faith above all else, his amazing positive and loving spirit, and his strength in the face of so many physical challenges. There are truly no words to describe the sorrow and loss we feel in his passing. But we also thank God for his life, and we rest peacefully in the knowledge that he is now in the palm of his loving Fathers hand. Surviving Bud and mourning his loss are his wife, Mary, his children and their families, his brother, Wayne (Charlotte), of Sault Ste. Marie, and sister, Barbara (Donald) Smalter of Lawrence, Kansas. A celebration of Bud''s life will begin on Sunday evening, April 11, with visitation at Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home from 4-8pm. A memorial Mass will be offered at 11am Monday, April 12, at St. Joseph Church, followed by a luncheon at in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the War Memorial Hospital Dialysis Unit. Cards of condolence may be sent to Mary and the Family at 300 West Pier Place, #37OD, Sault Ste. Marie. We sincerely thank Bud''s large community of friends far all of your support and love over the years. He loved all of you as much or more than you loved him.

Tributes

Francis "Bud" Mansfield

October 14, 1927 - April 7, 2010