Elwin "Hooper" Lamirand
Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm
St. Louis The King Catholic Church
Services:
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm
St. Louis The King Catholic Church
We lost a truly good man on June 27, 2012. Elwin Hugh Lamirand was born to Hugh and Lucille (Frenette) Lamirand in Gulliver, MI on September 8, 1937. His mother referred to him as “Allie” which was transformed by friends into “Allie-Oop” as per a popular comic strip at the time. This finally evolved to “Hooper,” the name most friends and family have come to know. Hooper’s family moved frequently, but he was raised around Big Bay, Marquette, Ishpeming, and Gwinn before finally settling in Harvey. A hard worker from the start, he dragged pieces of scrap iron home for a few dollars for his family during WWII and later became a pin setter at the bowling alley in Ishpeming. As a boy, he also developed a passion for hunting, trapping, and fishing. He attended school until 9th grade when he thought it better to set to work to help support his family. He worked as a bell hop at the Northland Hotel before joining the US Army in 1957. He enjoyed his time in the service, spending the majority of his time stationed in southern Germany, where he was an Artillery Communications Specialist. Following his honorable discharge in 1960, he returned to Marquette and eagerly accepted a position as an auto body mechanic at Libick’s Body Shop on Presque Isle Ave. He found the love of his life, Carol DeVooght, during the 1960’s. The couple married in 1967 and he built the family’s home himself. The couple had a daughter, Kimberly Rae, in 1969. He supported Carol & Kim while Carol attended school at NMU. He ultimately developed an allergy against one of the chemicals in auto paint and was forced to find another career. He worked at the Tilden Mine for several years where he was fortunate to have developed several life-long friends. Carol gave birth to their son, Thomas Hugh, in 1976. Hooper and Carol shared a passion for gardening. They started numerous flowers and vegetables from seed in their greenhouse and sold cut flowers and produce outside their home for several years. In the mid-1980’s, Hooper finally found his calling as a carpenter for the Local 1050 where he finished his working life. Following retirement, he took on a new role caring for Carol through a life-threatening illness that was successfully treated with a double organ transplant. Shortly afterward, Hooper traveled through Europe with Tom where they toured the area around Schwabisch-Gmund, the town in southern Germany where he’d been stationed in the ‘50’s and met some of Carol’s extended family in Knokke-Heist, Belgium. With Carol’s retirement, the couple rediscovered their love for gardening and became “snow birds,” spending winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where they spent time with friends, new and old. They traveled to Hawaii and took a cruise to Mexico. Hooper made new friends everywhere they traveled. Hooper is survived by his loving wife, Carol; daughter, Kimberly Winkler of Green Bay; son, Thomas (Jessica) of Iron Mountain; grandchildren, Krista (Jason)Kelsey, Chase Lindsley, Samuel and Elsa Lamirand; great grandchildren Megan and Quinn Kelsey; brother, John (Donna) Lamirand ; sisters, Betty (Paul) Larson, Priscilla Benson, Joan (Octavius) DeRose , and Diana (Harvey) McClure; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, youngest brother, Paul, several brothers-in-law, and 2 nephews. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather; a compassionate, reliable friend; a craftsman; and a man who found joy in nature’s bounty and beauty. Please feel free to join friends and family in remembering Hooper. A viewing will be held at St. Louis the King Parish on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 10:00 am -12:00 pm followed by a funeral mass, pot-luck luncheon and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery at 3 pm. Donations will be directed toward a scholarship for students in vocational education programs at NMU in Hooper’s name. The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderfuneralhome.com
CONDOLENCES
Carol, we are so sorry for your loss. Hooper was a great guy and he will be missed by all his friends and family. Love, Mike and Chris St. Onge - 06.28.2012
From Mike and Chris St. Onge - Flag as inappropriateCarol, we are so glad to be a part of Hooper's life with you. I will always remember when mom and I came up and stayed with you. We play cards and me and Hooper beat you and mom. We sure had fun.God Bless you and he will be missed. Love to you Deb and Ron Houchins. - 06.28.2012
From Debbie and Ron Houchins - Flag as inappropriateKim, so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, I am sure you have many memories of him , I am sure. Rest in peace Mr. Lamirand. - 06.28.2012
From MrsClovis H Peano - Flag as inappropriatePlease know that we will be thinking of you all during this difficult time. Our prayers go out to you and your entire family. We are here if you need us. Your St. Louis the King family. Carol - 06.28.2012
From Carol Mills - Flag as inappropriateDear Carol and Family, We cannot be at Hooper's funeral due to out-of-town company being here but our thoughts and prayers are with you. May our Lord comfort all of you. - 06.28.2012
From Cliff & Shirley Fitzpatrick - Flag as inappropriateSo very sorry to hear about the loss of Hooper, my mom and dad called me this morning to let me know. I have so many great memories of spending the night over there as a kid, going out to dinner, gardening and so much more. Hooper was a great person and will truly be missed. Wish I could be there but please know that your entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Love you to all Big Hugs!!! - 06.28.2012
From Tonya, Scott, Kristen & Tyler DeBrock - Flag as inappropriateMy condolences to you-Carol & Kim-and to all of your family and friends. I am forever grateful to Hooper for finishing the siding on my house...he really got me out of a jam. I always enjoyed seeing his ready smile...he will be missed. God bless. Lorilee - 06.28.2012
From Lorilee Weiger - Flag as inappropriateMy Prayers are with you Carol & family. Hooper was such a good guy & I`ll always have a great memory of him. - 06.28.2012
From Mike Blondeau - Flag as inappropriateCarol and famiy. So sorry to hear of Hooper's passing. He was a great guy and will be missed. Just wanted to let you know our thought and prayers are there for you. - 06.28.2012
From John - Beth Menhennick - Flag as inappropriateCarol, although I never had the pleasure of meeting Hooper, I'm so glad my parents, Jerry and Joyce, got to know him. He has truly been a blessing in their lives and I know he will be dearly missed. - 06.29.2012
From Teresa Roberts - Flag as inappropriateKim and family... I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Although I know I must have met your parents as a child, I can barely remember. From what I have read he sounds like a wonderful man who I am sure will be truely missed by all who knew and loved him. I can understand the many emotions that you must be feeling right not, having lost my own mom not so long ago. Please if you need a shoulder, let me know! ((((HUGS)))) and lots of love and prayers for peace and comfort coming your way! Carol & Rod Clement - 06.29.2012
From Carol Clement - Flag as inappropriateCarol, We don't have time to make it to the funeral but I hope you know our thoughts are with you. Hooper and you have been such good friends - We will miss him so much. We are also very grateful that we had both of you in our lives the last few years. I only wish we could have had Hooper longer. - 06.29.2012
From Jerry and Joyce - Flag as inappropriateCarol, I am so sorry to hear of Hooper's passing. He was such a great guy and we all enjoyed his company so much. Rob always said if Hooper didn't catch any fish there were none to be caught. We were very lucky to have known him. - 06.29.2012
From Barb Weatherholt - Flag as inappropriateCarol, Tom, Kim, and Family, Your family has always been and always will be so important in our lives and I am so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. We love you and miss you. - 07.01.2012
From Jennifer White and family - Flag as inappropriateCarol, Edie and I send our deepest condolences. LHC and especially Site Six will not be the same with this caring and giving friend. - 07.01.2012
From Tom Novak - Flag as inappropriateDear Carol and Family. Our prayers are with you and your family. I got to know Hooper some years ago during some home renovations. I also got to know him as a person and he taught me some lessons about carpentry. The statement, "We lost a truly good man" sums it up best. May God bless you and your family. Mike & Gloria LaPointe - 07.02.2012
From Mike LaPointe - Flag as inappropriateCarol & Family, We are so truely sorry for your loss. It can be so difficult to let go of someone we love! But, grief is the price we must pay to love! That can be a very difficult thing. Even though, we all know, it's worth it! Hold onto the wonderful memories and keep them close to your heart. In time, you will heal! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! God Bless you! From all of your family down state...the LaFaves - 07.02.2012
From Roxanne Kania- Slotnick (Lafave) - Flag as inappropriateCarol and Family, very sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless you and your family strong love Jeanine and Richard - 07.02.2012
From Jeanine & Richard (St.Onge) Gallagher - Flag as inappropriate