Eugene J. ‘Tonto’ Tourangeau

He was born on June 25, 1922, in Danforth, son of Arthur and Valentine (Charbonneau) Tourangeau. Eugene graduated from Escanaba High School, class of 1948 and attended Cloverland College for accounting.

During World War II, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army and served with the military police and was an anti-tank crewman.

On July 30, 1949 Eugene married Lorraine Roberts at Holy Family Church in Flat Rock. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past summer.

Eugene was a very hard worker and was a millwright for Mead Paper for 38 years before retiring in 1988.

He loved being in the outdoors: working in his yard, gardening and tinkering on small machinery in his garage. He had a knack for organization which was evident to anyone who visited his outdoor workspace or looked through family photos, all of which were dated and labeled. He loved reading, playing with his grandchildren, playing his harmonica and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Eugene’s Christian faith was a very important part of his life; he enjoyed times of devotion and prayer with his wife.

Eugene was very active into his early 90s, and until the time of his death, he enjoyed people watching while he waited for his wife during their weekly shopping trips. He was also blessed to live out his days in the home they raised their children in.

Eugene was a member of Holy Family Church in Flat Rock, and in his earlier years he was a lector and enjoyed volunteering not only at the church but also in his community.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine of Gladstone; three daughters, Valerie Tourangeau of Chandler, Ariz., Pauline (Dan) Marenger of Gladstone, and Theresa (Larry) Erickson of Gladstone; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; his brother, Roger (Betty) Tourangeau of Escanaba; two sisters-in-law, Betty Lou Tourangeau and Beverly Tourangeau; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leo, Rene, Brother Clement, Arthur, Joseph (who died at birth); and sisters, Bernadette, Cecile and Martha.

Visitation will be on Monday, Nov. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. Military service will begin at 3:45 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 4 p.m. with Pastor Scott Breault officiating. At the conclusion of the service all are invited to join family for a meal at New Life Church, 2005 8th Ave S., Escanaba.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

A message of condolence may be directed to the Tourangeau family by visiting crawforfuneralhomes.net