Ralph Clinton Tromater

Ralph Clinton Tromater, age 85, of Chicago and formerly of Munising, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at his home in Chicago.  He was born in Alma, Michigan on December 18, 1936 to Mary Alice (Brebner) and Clinton “Trom” Tromater.  In 1943, the family moved to Munising, his mother’s home town.  Ralph graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1954.  He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in January of 1955.  Ralph was stationed overseas for over a year and half and spent much of that time in Greenland.  He was a Radioman 2nd Class when he was honorably discharged in January of 1959.  Ralph earned a degree from Michigan State University.  He moved to Chicago and worked for Montgomery Ward as security before starting his career with Trans World Airlines (TWA).  He worked in reservations and his office was in the Sears Tower.  After retiring from TWA, Ralph became a personal chauffeur for Mr. Brooks McCormick of International Harvester for over ten years.  Ralph loved the water, especially the Great Lakes.  He also took multiple trips across the ocean aboard cargo freighters.  Ralph was a devout Catholic and a faithful and active member at Immaculate Conception Church in Chicago. He was also an active participant of AA.  Ralph would visit prisons sharing stories and leading meetings.  He was an avid sports fan and cheered for the Detroit Redwings, Detroit Tigers, and Michigan Wolverines.

Ralph is survived by his sisters – Sally Charboneau of Munising and Carol Taff of Cottonwood, CA; and he will be remembered fondly by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Robert Charboneau and Michael Taff.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Jeff Johnson at Sacred Heart Church in Munising on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the American Legion and Vietnam Veteran’s Honor Guard.