Marquette –– Albert Joseph Thibodeau, 89, lifelong Marquette resident, entered eternal life Friday evening, November 10, 2006, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where he had resided since 2003.
Known as “Bert”, “Tip”, “Tibby”, and “Al”, throughout his lifetime, Al was born July 6, 1917, in Marquette, a son of Adelore J. and Rose Delima (Thibodeau) Thibodeau. One of eleven children, Al and his siblings grew up on the Thibodeau Dairy Farm, formerly located at 209 W. Baraga Avenue. He was a 1935 graduate of Graveraet High School and later worked for Pellow Roofing Company in Marquette and Portale Brothers Grocery in Ishpeming. In 1942, he entered the Army Air Corps, serving with the 450th Bomb Group. A May 25, 2003 Mining Journal article describes the 1999 discovery of Al’s wartime diary in the family home on Baraga Avenue, which chronicles 35 combat missions against German targets and his role as a ball turret gunner in a B-24 Liberator nicknamed “Ramp Rat.” While in service, Al married Rose Portale of Ishpeming in 1943 and she preceded him in death in 1950. Following service, Al returned to the Marquette area and was employed with the Our Own Bakery (Bunny Bread) as a route deliveryman, primarily serving the Negaunee, Ishpeming, and Palmer areas. It was at the bakery that he met Geraldine “Jerry” Zorza and they were married in 1953. Together, Al and Jerry established their home and raised their family in Marquette. During this time, Al and Jerry owned and operated the Ontario Grocery in Trowbridge Park for ten years. In 1978, following 35 years of service, Al retired from Bunny Bread. In retirement, he and Jerry enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. The couple also worked together as maintenance personnel at the Bonanza Family Restaurant and the former Diamond Club. In 1996, Jerry preceded Al in death. Al continued to travel and visit, as health permitted, and was always eager to be involved in his grandchildren’s lives. In earlier years he had been an avid pool player and card player, especially enjoying poker and cribbage. Al was also an avid bowler, belonging to several bowling leagues during his lifetime, and continuing to bowl into his 80’s. He also liked to spend time at the family camp on Lake Noreen. Al was a member of the former St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and currently a member of St. Michael Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years. He was a lifetime member of Marquette Council 689 Knights of Columbus, Richard Jopling Post #44 of the American Legion, Marquette Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 405, and Marquette Moose Lodge 1059.
A loving and devoted father, proud grandparent, and brother, he is survived by three daughters, Mary Droelle of Pensacola, FL, Teresa (Donald) O’Connor of Marquette, and Judy (Pete) Rogers of Lake Havasu, AZ; two sons, Denis (Charle`) Thibodeau of Whitewater, CO and David (Betty) Thibodeau of Springfield, VA; his 14 grandchildren, David, Joseph, Anthony, John, Jacob, Joshua, and Jennifer Thibodeau, Amy Chambers, Michele Sanchez, Michele Marshalla, Christopher Ferguson, Casey O’Connor, Denci Thomas, and Molly Droelle; great-grandchildren, Kyrie, Joseph, Samantha, Madeline, Paul Andrew, Mason, Kayla, Taylor, Tiffany, Tyler, and a soon to be expected great-grandchild; two sisters, Jean Archer of Kenosha, WI and Theresa Trepanier of Schwartz Creek; two brothers, Leo Thibodeau of Suamico, WI and Paul (Dolores) Thibodeau of Reed City; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents and wives, Al was preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Ferguson; sisters, Emma Van Dyke, Leona Remillard, Rosa Casler, and Aldea Beauchamp; and a brother, Clarence Thibodeau.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Monday beginning at 5:00 pm. Visitation will conclude with a prayer service at 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday morning, November 14, at St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick, pastor, as celebrant. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Parish Center. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery with Al’s grandchildren serving as his escorts.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. James Heron, staff, and residents of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans and the caregivers of Lake Superior Hospice for the many kindnesses extended to Al and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans Patient Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 326 N. Front Street, Marquette, MI 49855.