1916
John
2013
John H. "Jack" Rousseau
August 1, 1916 — November 9, 2013
Munising
John H. "Jack" Rousseau, age 97, of Munising, died on Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. He was born on August 1, 1916 in Munising to Joseph and Mary (Schilling) Rousseau, the sixth of eleven children. Jack graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1930 and Wm. G. Mather High School in 1934. In 1934, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Cooks in Manistique. Jack then transferred to Camp Mormon Creek Camp in Nahma Junction and then Camp Blackwell in Laona, WI until he was discharged in 1937. Jack returned to Munising and worked as a County Wide Time Keeper for the Federal W.P.A. Project. He enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 and was sent to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut for Sonar School. During WWII, Jack made several trips on anti-submarine patrol along the Canadian coast, Greenland, and Iceland. He was discharged as a Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class in 1945. Jack returned to Munising and managed the Firestone Store until August of 1949. He enrolled under the G.I. Bill at Northern Michigan College and was active as a Tri Mu Fraternity member, Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, several other campus organizations, and he was the Junior and Senior Class President. Jack graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He then started at Indiana University as a Teaching Assistant while working on a Master's Degree. In 1954, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Master's Degree in Education Administration. Jack was hired at the Washburn Junior High School in Winnetka, Illinois. Mr. Rousseau taught twenty-one years in the Winnetka Public Schools. During his summers off from teaching, he traveled to many parts of the world. After retirement, Jack returned to Munising where he once again became active in the community. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus #2804. When he returned home, he was the Bingo chairman over sixteen years. Jack was a faithful and active member at Sacred Heart Church as a lector, Eucharistic minister and an altar server for funerals for over twenty-five years. He was a member of the American Legion, D.A.V., the NMU and Indiana Alumni Associations. He enjoyed golfing at PRGC, playing duplicate bridge, other card games with family members, and poker with friends. Jack also enjoyed his daily walks, reading, and his involvement at many get-togethers with an extensive family as the "Perennial Uncle." In 2004, Jack moved to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He enjoyed his life there and oftentimes said, "I am in the right place." Jack became good friends with many of the residents and the staff that worked there. He enjoyed the extra T.L.C. and frequent visits that he received from his niece, Rene Allyn - she took great care of him.
Jack is survived by his sister - Mary Lou Rousseau of Glendale, Wisconsin; his sisters-in-law - Alice, Vivian, and Betty Rousseau; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings - Violet LaPonsie, Vernon (Priscilla) Rousseau, Joseph Rousseau, William "Hound" Rousseau, Robert "Douse" Rousseau, and Patricia (Earl) Daniels.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. A combined Parish Vigil and Knights of Columbus service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with time available for sharing stories. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Honor Guards will conduct military honors. Jack will be escorted by his nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jack's memory are requested to be made to the Beverly Family Foundation which helps Alger County residents battling breast cancer. Beverly Family Foundation, 1475 Buford Drive - Suite 403-127, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
John H. "Jack" Rousseau, age 97, of Munising, died on Saturday morning, November 9, 2013 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. He was born on August 1, 1916 in Munising to Joseph and Mary (Schilling) Rousseau, the sixth of eleven children. Jack graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1930 and Wm. G. Mather High School in 1934. In 1934, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Cooks in Manistique. Jack then transferred to Camp Mormon Creek Camp in Nahma Junction and then Camp Blackwell in Laona, WI until he was discharged in 1937. Jack returned to Munising and worked as a County Wide Time Keeper for the Federal W.P.A. Project. He enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 and was sent to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut for Sonar School. During WWII, Jack made several trips on anti-submarine patrol along the Canadian coast, Greenland, and Iceland. He was discharged as a Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class in 1945. Jack returned to Munising and managed the Firestone Store until August of 1949. He enrolled under the G.I. Bill at Northern Michigan College and was active as a Tri Mu Fraternity member, Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, several other campus organizations, and he was the Junior and Senior Class President. Jack graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He then started at Indiana University as a Teaching Assistant while working on a Master's Degree. In 1954, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Master's Degree in Education Administration. Jack was hired at the Washburn Junior High School in Winnetka, Illinois. Mr. Rousseau taught twenty-one years in the Winnetka Public Schools. During his summers off from teaching, he traveled to many parts of the world. After retirement, Jack returned to Munising where he once again became active in the community. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus #2804. When he returned home, he was the Bingo chairman over sixteen years. Jack was a faithful and active member at Sacred Heart Church as a lector, Eucharistic minister and an altar server for funerals for over twenty-five years. He was a member of the American Legion, D.A.V., the NMU and Indiana Alumni Associations. He enjoyed golfing at PRGC, playing duplicate bridge, other card games with family members, and poker with friends. Jack also enjoyed his daily walks, reading, and his involvement at many get-togethers with an extensive family as the "Perennial Uncle." In 2004, Jack moved to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He enjoyed his life there and oftentimes said, "I am in the right place." Jack became good friends with many of the residents and the staff that worked there. He enjoyed the extra T.L.C. and frequent visits that he received from his niece, Rene Allyn - she took great care of him.
Jack is survived by his sister - Mary Lou Rousseau of Glendale, Wisconsin; his sisters-in-law - Alice, Vivian, and Betty Rousseau; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings - Violet LaPonsie, Vernon (Priscilla) Rousseau, Joseph Rousseau, William "Hound" Rousseau, Robert "Douse" Rousseau, and Patricia (Earl) Daniels.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. A combined Parish Vigil and Knights of Columbus service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with time available for sharing stories. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Honor Guards will conduct military honors. Jack will be escorted by his nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jack's memory are requested to be made to the Beverly Family Foundation which helps Alger County residents battling breast cancer. Beverly Family Foundation, 1475 Buford Drive - Suite 403-127, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
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