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Bruce W Perry

Bruce Perry

ISHPEMING, MI – It is with tremendous sorrow that we, his family, share the news of the passing of Bruce W Perry peacefully at his home in Ishpeming on the morning of January 16, 2020 at the age of 85.

Bruce was born in September of 1934, the third and youngest child of Francis and Myrtle Perry. From the very beginning he loved exploring the woods and waters that surrounded the family deer camp near Michigamme. In these woods Bruce became a crack shot with a rifle and sharpened his archery skills, ultimately joining The Tomahawk Bowmen archery team as a teenager and placing second in a national competition, losing only to his cousin. He was a skilled bowler, an avid gun collector, loved Thursday night pasties (a long-held family tradition), family reunions in Michigamme, and visiting with friends over coffee or tea.

The great love of the outdoors would never leave Bruce. As he raised the 5 children he shared with his first wife, Barbara (Bess) Tyynismaa, he made sure that they all spent plenty of time in those woods he loved. Summers were spent adventuring on 4-wheelers, in Jeeps, and on the water, where he taught his kids how to fish and to waterski. Every November the Perry camp was filled with friends and family for deer season, their success evidenced by walls lined with trophies of 74 straight years of deer camp tradition. Once the snow started to fall, weekends were spent exploring trails on snowmobiles with his kids, his father, his brother, cousins, and friends. He captured many of these adventures on film and was often behind his 8mm video camera preserving memories of his kids’ time in the Blue Notes, camping trips with friends, Christmases, and special events like his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Bruce worked hard to provide for his family and was employed as a truck driver for Harvey Oil for over 40 years.

Work didn’t stop when he clocked out for the day- there was always wood to cut, a vehicle to repair, ammunition to reload, or something to tinker with. He never slowed down, not even as he got older.

Working to raise 5 kids didn’t leave much room for vacation, but he always dreamed of getting lei’d in Hawaii.

After a whole lot of waiting, he and his sweetheart Norma Joan finally got to take that vacation after Bruce’s 75th birthday. Though he waited a very long time to take that trip, he would tell you that it was worth every second to be able to take it with the love of his life.

Bruce is survived by his forever valentine Norma Joan (Maki) Perry, whom he married on September 6, 2000 and spent the last 20 years loving with every bit of his being, they were always holding hands; his siblings Gilford Perry Sr of Ishpeming and Beverly Ladin of Escanaba; 5 children: Daniel “Bugsy” (Cathy) Perry of Ishpeming, Janis (Jim) Hebbard of Ishpeming and Lake Havasu City, AZ, Scott (Susan) Perry of Casper, WY, Ann Perry Schroeder of Ishpeming, and Sue Perry of Marquette; 5 step-children: Lora (Andy) Perrault of Buffalo, NY, Paula Lucier of Hancock, MI, Patrick (Hilary) Tormala of Tirgard, OR, Karen (Marty) Sutinen of Dollar Bay, MI, and Kristen (Deven) Cornwell of Troutville, VA; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren of his own and 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild by love; nephews Steve (Jane) Perry of -Casper, WY and Gilford (Donna) Perry Jr of Ishpeming.

He was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Myrtle, brother-in-law Herb Ladin, son-in-law Bruce Kilberg, and his best friend and cousin Fran Perry.

Though our hearts are heavy, it is with equally tremendous love, joy, and pride that we share memories of him.

A quote by his hero John Wayne exemplifies the way Bruce lived and the example he set for all of us: “Courage is being scared to death — and saddling up anyway.”

Please join us at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Champion MI on Thursday, January 23. Viewing 11 am to Noon, Service at Noon with a luncheon to follow.

Pallbearers will be: Dave Sabrowsky, John Sjogren, Gary Schinske, Mike Elliott, Ron Moody and Dave Luebeck. Honorary Pallbearers: Bill Pepin, Pete Starkey, Dennis Skytta, John Innerebner and Kurt Voegtline.

Bruce’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.