Lawrence L. DeLongchamp

Former Negaunee resident, Lawrence L. (Goose or Lussie) DeLongchamp, left us peacefully on Friday, March 24th, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama, just four months shy of his 101st birthday. Lawrence was born in Champion on July 29th, 1922, and graduated from Champion High School, Class of 1940. While there he developed his love of basketball and played four years on the varsity team. He took great glee in telling everyone that there was a jump ball after every basket was made. In 1943, he met and married Frances Trotochaud of Negaunee. They lived in Negaunee for the next forty years and raised four children. He began his mining career in 1943 at the Mary Charlotte Mine, then worked underground at the Mather B Mine, and ended with his retirement from the Tilden Mine in 1984 as a second captain. He and Fran moved to Tampa, Florida and ended up settling in Montgomery, Alabama.

While in Montgomery he became very involved in his grandchildren’s school by volunteering at the concession stand, taping the basketball games, and keeping the grounds pristine. The students loved listening to him and he thrived being kept busy. His great joy was coming back to camp on the Peshekee River, where he fished for brook trout and in days past trapped beaver and mink. Most of all, he loved to fish, fish, and fish on the numerous lakes in the area. He also enjoyed camp life during deer hunting season, visiting the Boar’s Nest camp, attending Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Champion where he was baptized one hundred years ago, and to just be in the north woods.

He is survived by his son, Dean (Sylvia) DeLongchamp of Montgomery; daughters, Bobbi Sue (Clark) Sullivan of Swartz Creek, and Debbie (Gunnar) Korpinen of Marquette; and son, Scott (Art) DeLongchamp-Perez of Indianapolis. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Michael (Cindy) DeLongchamp, Michelle (Tim) Roberson, Melissa (Pat) Moffett, Sean Sullivan, Dominic (Lisa) Jacobetti, Tony (Danielle) Jacobetti, Julie (Jeff Dauphinais) Jacobetti, Traci Jacobetti, Zachary (Andrea) DeLongchamp, and Sarah (Ryan) Mundy; seventeen great-grandchildren; his goddaughter, Gena (DeGabriele) Hocking; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances in 2001; and his parents, Hazel and Louis DeLongchamp. Unfortunately, he was the last surviving first cousin of the Bernard family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 29th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion. Interment will be in Northland Chapel Gardens. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Sacred Heart Church, 1723 Co Rd AAJ, Champion, MI 49814.

Lawrence L. DeLongchamp

Mr. DeLongchamp’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.