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Thomas D. Landree
(January 10, 1946 - July 4, 2009) |
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Thomas D. Landree, 63, died July 4, 2009, at Aspirus Ontonagon
Hospital in Ontonagon, Michigan. Tom was born in Ontonagon on
January 10, 1946, to Hector and Elayne (Johnson) Landree. He was
a 1964 graduate of Ontonagon High School and earned an
Associate’s Degree in Diesel Mechanics from Ferris State
University. Tom was employed by Fox Valley Construction of Appleton, Wisconsin and Snowden, Inc. of Escanaba, Michigan, from which he retired as Supervisor in 2001. During his long and significant career, he worked on road and bridge projects throughout Upper and Lower Michigan and the State of Wisconsin. Tom took great pride in the quality of his work and never called a job “done” until it met his standards. He had a story for every stretch of road and every town he worked in, from Ann Arbor to Madeleine Island. In 1979 he married Patricia Walsh Geraty, who preceded him in death in 2000. Tom married Sharon A. Miilu on April 19, 2002, and they made their home on the Lake Superior shore with their Shih Tzu dog Sam. Sam, who died in January of 2009, traveled everywhere with Tom. Sam was often dressed in his signature costumes from a Nascar jacket to a police uniform. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Craig (Gus) Landree. He is survived by son Dan (Julie) Geraty of Tomahawk, Wisconsin and their children Vanessa, Dan, Corey, Nick, and Tim; son Tim Geraty of Green Bay, Wisconsin and his son Blake; sister Jodi (Terry) Store of Ontonagon; nieces Lanaia (Mike) Higgins, Lisa (Cameron) Bledsoe, Jessica (Brandon) Dompier; nephew Simon Store; and uncle Ronald (Lucy) Johnson of Ontonagon. He is also survived by numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins and a wonderful and supportive extended family. Tom was a member of the Operating Engineers and a charter member of the Ontonagon Mountaineers Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also an avid skier and was active in the Porcupine Mountains and National Ski Patrol for 29 years. As a man of faith, he was proud of achieving Fourth Degree status in the Knights of Columbus. His Catholic faith was as important to him as his conservative political views - throughout his life he never compromised either. As a family man, he instilled a strong work ethic in his sons and was a source of comfort and strength to his extended family. Tom was a very social individual and hosted many lakeside gatherings at his home. Because of his story-telling ability and sense of humor, he often entertained those around him. Tom was a man of many talents and interests, from special home cooking to photography to automobile restoration to the ability to figure out how to fix just about anything. His second home was his garage, which he equipped with homey comforts and a selection of tools that would be the envy of Fleet Farm. His philosophy was that if one is good, three is better. Electric drills to Skid Steers, trailers to welding equipment, Tom had at least two of each and was always on the hunt for more. If it’s true that he who dies with the most toys wins, Tom won. Reverend Fathers John Longbucco and Michael Jacobus will be officiating at a mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call at the church two hours before the service. Burial will be in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, Ontonagon MI. At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Foundation to be used for a special project. |
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