Friends We Will Miss

Cathy Abramson ’94, Sault Ste Marie, passed away March 19, 2024. She earned an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree from LSSU and was a dedicated member of the Sault Tribe, serving in several roles such as a member of the Unit One Board of Directors, which she served on for twenty years. She was also heavily involved in Tribal healthcare boards and committees and dedicated to elevating healthcare for Native Americans.

Steve Akkanen ’77, Sault Ste Marie, passed away February 15, 2024. He earned a degree in computer engineering at LSSU, then went on to work for the City of Sault Ste Marie for over 40 years. Steve played a pivotal role in transitioning the city into using computers, worked as a building inspector, and fixed complicated tech-related issues when they arose in the city.

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Alan Bitely ’66, Curtis, passed away March 21, 2024. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, then earned a Bachelors in education from LSSU and NMU. He worked as a teacher, then later a principal at Three Lakes Academy (formerly Curtis Elementary School), and ran Birch Shores Resort after his retirement from the school.

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Ollie Boynton ’52, St. Ignace, passed away October 5, 2023. He attended LSSU when it was known as the Sault Branch of Michigan Tech before serving in the US Army for two years. Ollie went on to serve as the postmaster of St. Ignance for 34 years and is remembered as a family man and active member of St. Ignatius Parish.

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Jean Brondyke ’69, Newberry, passed away February 11, 2024. She attended LSSU part time before seeking employment downstate. She is remembered for her love for her children, animals, and the outdoors.

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Prentiss Brown Jr. ’68, St. Ignace, passed away December 3, 2023. He attended LSSU part-time for several semesters after serving in the Navy, graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, and joining his father’s office. He ran for the 11th U.S. Congressional Seat several times and served on the Boards for the First National Bank of St. Ignace, Union Terminal Piers/Arnold Line, the Mackinac Straits Hospital, and the St. Ignace Golf & Country Club. He also served as the City Attorney for the City of Mackinac Island and surrounding townships for many years.

Andrew Chasnis ’81, Saginaw, passed away January 3, 2024. He attended LSSU before dedicating over 20 years to working with Saginaw County.  Andrew then worked in maintenance for property management until his retirement. He is remembered as a loving father who was devoted to raising his son.

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James Conley ’91, Sault Ste Marie, passed away February 17, 2024. He grew up in the Sault area and graduated from LSSU before beginning his 20 year career with the Michigan Department of Corrections. James also owned and operated his company J. L. Conley & Sons Sports Cards and Supplies.

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Reynold Cox ’86, Wichita Falls, TX, passed away December 17, 2023. He graduated from LSSU with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Reynold enjoyed collecting coins and dragons, as well as working on cars.

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Perry Cushman ’78, Pickford, passed away December 30, 2023. He served in the Air Force for four years, then spent 24 years at the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department where the marine patrol division and retired as the first Lieutenant in the department’s history. He went on to work security for the Soo Locks before joining the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department for 19 years.

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Ronald Dale ’66, Sault Ste Marie, passed away December 10, 2023. He attended LSSU when it was known as the Sault Branch of Michigan Tech, then MSU. After graduation, Ronald joined the Coast Guard for three years, then worked as a Seismologist and in mine regulation until his retirement.

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Mary Denker, Brimley, passed away April 19, 2024. She was known for her frequent volunteer work with the VFW auxiliary, as well as her support for Laker Hockey, of which she was an avid fan. Mary and her family have a generous history of supporting LSSU and students that will forever be remembered by the University. Mary and her late husband, Claude, will be remembered through the Claude and Mary Denker Scholarship Fund at LSSU.–

Elaine Donnelly ’80, Brimley, passed away March 19,2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from LSSU, then went on to work for Chippewa Motors and Brim O’ Bay Motel. Elaine also owned her own business, Cozy Inn Bar, with her husband, and it continues to thrive today thanks to the many years of accounting expertise she dedicated to it.

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David Eby ’89, Canton, passed away October 28, 2023. He graduated from LSSU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. David was heavily involved with the Plymouth-Canton Marching Band and Winter Percussion for eight years, as well his son’s Boy Scout Troop 854.

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Peter Gianakura ’48, Sault Ste Marie, passed away December 17, 2023. He attended Cleary College, served in the Army in WWII, then continued his education at the LSSU when it was known as Soo Tech. Peter owned and operated his family’s restaurant for 43 years, then spent time as a guide at the Tower of History before his retirement.

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Michael Handziak ’80, Beal City, passed away March 16, 2024. While attending LSSU he was a member of the SME Fraternity, then went on to work for Michigan’s Department of Technology Management and Budget for thirty years. Michael was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 3676 and the Moose.

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David Jirikovic ’93, passed away April 9, 2024. He attended LSSU as Lake Superior State College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. He was also an outstanding athlete in track and field, fencing, and wrestling. David went on to work for Edison Sault Electric Company, then Consumer’s Energy where he led the development of smart electric meters, before his retirement in 2016.

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David Kasun ’70, Manistique, passed away February 13, 2024. He graduated from LSSU when it was Lake Superior State College and was a third-generation worker at Manistique Papers, Inc. David also worked on a commercial fishing boat for some time before retirement and was a proud member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

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Sandra Killips ’87, Sault Ste Marie, passed away March 6, 2024. She earned a Certificate in Clerical/Word Processing from LSSU and went on to work for Woolsworth’s, The Copper Kettle, Kewadin Casino, and Walmart. Sandra enjoyed spending time with family and taking care of the wildlife around her home.

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Quinn Kimball ’89, passed away December 19, 2023. He graduated from LSSU with a Bachelor’s in Political Science, then worked at GK Auto/Electric and in retail management, industrial administration, and public education. Quinn also served as a member of the Millersburg Village Council for ten years.

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Mary Kostecki ’84, passed away April 1, 2024. She earned a bachelor’s degree from LSSU before moving on to MSU for her Master’s. Mary and her husband, John, ran Cadogan Point Resort on Dudley Bay before moving to Pipe Island, where they maintained the lighthouse keeper’s home and cabins.

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Blaine Lacher ’94, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, passed away January 29, 2024. He was a member of LSSU’s 1994 national championship team and set a NCAA shutout streak record in the 1993-94 season that still stands to this day. Blaine went on to play for the Boston Bruins in the NHL after graduation.

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Robert Lawrence ’70, Brimley, passed away February 28, 2024. He worked on lake freighters for a year before attending and graduating from LSSU. Robert served in the Army as a Captain, then worked as a Supervisory Inspector for thirty years. after retirement he was a driver for the Western Great Lakes Pilot’s Association.

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John Lawton ’65, DeTour Village, passed away January 24, 2024. He attended Michigan Tech through (formerly) the Sault Branch, now LSSU. After graduating with a forestry degree, John worked as a tree trimmer for 30 years before his retirement.

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Bernard Manitowabi ’99, Sault Ste Marie, passed away March 15, 2024. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in fire science from LSSU and was a member of Wiikwemkoong First nation in Wiikwemkoong, Ontario. Bernard worked various jobs such as welding, lineman, Soo Locks security, and as a mail courier for the Sault Tribe.

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David McDonald ’67, passed away March 28, 2024. He attended LSSU as the Lake Superior State College of Michigan Technological University for two years, then finished his Bachelor’s and Master’s in electrical engineering at Michigan Tech. David served in the U.S. Army before accepting a position teaching in LSSU’s Engineering Technology program, where he worked for 43 years. In 2018, one year after his retirement, David was awarded Professor Emeritus from LSSU.–

Virginia Neal, Sault Ste Marie, passed away March 2, 2024. She was a Blue Liner for LSSU’s Lakers Hockey Team, a group that provided support for LSSU Laker hockey players on and off the ice.

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Marie Paquette, Sault Ste Marie, passed away February 29, 2024. She aided in setting up the financial aid office at LSSU and worked as Special Clerk II for over 7 years.

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Richard Perron ’95, Orlando, FL, passed away February 9, 2024. He earned and Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from LSSU, then went on to rise through the ranks of several construction companies to supervisor. Richard was an avid fan of hockey and NASCAR.

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Floyd Reno, Hessel, passed away March 2, 2024. He served as a member of the maintenance department at LSSU for 35 years. Floyd enjoyed spending time with family and friends, local sports, and the outdoors.

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Ralph Sheffer ’65, Howell, passed away April 19, 2024. He attended and graduated from LSSU with a degree in Engineering Technology when LSSU was known as the Sault Branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He later earned his Master’s in Business and dedicated 33 years to General Motors before his retirement.

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Randall Suggitt ’76, Sault Ste Marie, passed away March 18, 2024. He served in the U.S. Army for several years before obtaining his Master’s degree. Randall taught math and computer science at LSSU for over thirty years.

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Sean Tallaire ’96, Pflugerville, TX, passed away March 12, 2024. He was a former member of LSSU’s men’s hockey team and had been inducted into the LSSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. Sean owns the career record for most game-winning goals and consecutive games played.

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Paul Theriault ’72, Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada, passed away January 3, 2024. He played hockey at LSSU while attending the university, then switched to coaching after suffering a major injury on the ice. Paul was an outdoorsman in his free time.

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Jeanne Thompson, Newberry, passed away February 24, 2024. She worked at LSSU for 19 years as a secretary in the Norris center.

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William Toliver ’88, Kincheloe, passed away December 25, 2023. He did his Special Corrections Officer training at LSSU after serving in the Marines and working for Mexport in Detroit. William then worked for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections for over twenty years. He was also a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

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Michael White ’72, Sand Bay, Bois Blanc Island, passed away December 15, 2023. He graduated from LSSU with a degree in Mechanical Technology, and served as a Sergeant in the Vietnam War. Michael worked as the Treasurer of the Pines School on Bois Blanc Island following 20 years in the oilfield repair industry at Atlas Wireline (formerly NL McCullough).