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ISABELLA -- Melvin Patrick Groleau, age 93, of Isabella, Mich. passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023, at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, in Manistique, with his family at his side. He was born in Manistique, Mich. on December 4, 1929, the son of Wilbert and Lassie (Foye) Groleau. Mel lived in Isabella as a young boy, until his parents moved to Oakland County. He attended schools in Berkley, Mich. and graduated from Berkley High School.
Mel married Rhea M. (Turan) Hebert in Escanaba, Mich. on March 8, 1974, and they made their home in Oakland County, then moved back to Isabella permanently in 1983. Mel and Rhea shared 46 years of married life until her passing on September 20, 2020. For his career, Mel worked construction as a heavy equipment operator, and built up an excavation business of his own, called Groleau Brothers, Inc. Mel and his brother worked together for 30 years. They started out digging graves, gaining experience and purchasing bigger equipment over time, until they were doing everything from bulldozing and hauling dirt, to building and grading roads. Mel was a faithful member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Cooks, Mich. He served as Nahma Township supervisor and assessor.
In his spare time, Mel really enjoyed boating with friends on the Great Lakes, playing cards, and loved snowmobiling, which he did until his mid-eighties. Mel was a member of the Nahma Boat Club, the Big Bay de Noc Cabin Fever Cruisers Snowmobile Club and thoroughly enjoyed joining up with other club members to groom trails in the winter and do clean-up in the spring. As a boy, he used to hunt with his grandmother, and he continued hunting throughout his life. Every day Mel looked forward to joining his friends for their early morning coffee at the Sugar Shack to catch up on everything happening in the area. He had a sweet tooth and loved desserts. Most of all, Mel was a strong, principled and private man, who never complained about anyone or anything. His actions spoke louder than his words. A good man, who was an inspiration for many, Mel was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.
Melvin is survived by his sons, Patrick Groleau of Isabella, Mich., Preston Groleau of Southfield, Mich.; stepsons, William Hebert of Nahma, Mich., Bruce (Carrie) Hebert of Niles, Mich.; daughters, Pam Leonard of Royal Oak, Mich., Pennee Hirn of Troy, Mich.; stepdaughter, Jackie (Todd) Chambers of Isabella, Mich.; brothers, Wayne (Marty) Groleau of Manistique, Mich.; Dan Groleau of Grand Blanc, Mich.; sister, Karen Julian of Fla.; 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbert Groleau and Lassie McLeod, wife Rhea Groleau, son Pepper Groleau, and brother James Groleau.
Memorial contributions in Melvin's name may be made to St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, at PO Box 68, Garden, MI, 49835. Visitation will take place on Friday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic Church at 1130S County Rd. 442, Cooks, Mich., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Brandon Yanni officiating.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at Moss Lake Cemetery with date and time to be announced. Fausett Family Funeral Homes of Manistique, Mich. is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be posted on their website at www.fausettfh.com.