Cary Bjork

Cary was born December 3, 1946, in Hancock, MI, the son of Clarence and Helen (Kukkonen) Bjork. He was raised in Marquette, where he attended John D. Pierce School and graduated from Graveraet High School before completing his undergraduate education at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.

He met his loving wife Sharon as a freshman in college, and they married in 1968. Together they moved to Denver, CO, where Cary attended medical school at the University of Colorado. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and graduated in 1972. After completing his Internal Medicine internship, he served as an officer in the United States Public Health Service for two years in Fort Defiance, AZ, in the Navajo Nation, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and then returned to the University of Colorado to complete his residency.

In 1977, Cary and his young family returned to Marquette to practice medicine, joining Marquette Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Associates. He remained there until his retirement in December 2013, helping the clinic earn recognition by the Michigan Primary Care Transformation Project as the state’s best overall adult and family medicine practice.

Cary was an avid world traveler and humanitarian. In 1991, he worked in Ecuador with Medical Group Missions, and later completed multiple trips to Uganda with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), where he taught medical faculty and residents at Mulago Hospital and Makerere University. He often brought his family along, arranging work opportunities so they could share in the experience of service and cultural exchange. HVO recognized him in 2008 with their Golden Apple Award for extraordinary contributions to the sustainability and effectiveness of their organization.

In 2015, Cary’s beloved wife Sharon passed away after facing ovarian cancer with quiet strength and resilience. A few years later, at their 55th high school reunion, Cary reconnected with his high school classmate Susan Cardoni. Their friendship soon grew into love, and they were married in 2022.

Cary continued his life of service and education throughout his retirement, obtaining his Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers’ Health in 2018, providing medical assistance to migrants in southern Arizona and Nogales, Mexico, and supporting HVO by mentoring and reviewing applications for prospective volunteers-work he continued right up to his passing. He also gave back locally, serving as a board member and secretary of the Trillium House, board trustee and treasurer of the Marquette Regional History Center, and as a devoted member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

He remained physically active throughout his retirement, enjoying cycling-especially tandem rides with Susan-along with hiking and cross-country skiing, always eager to take advantage of fresh corduroy on the Noque trails.

Cary traveled the world with his family, including trips and cultural experiences in Kenya, Tanzania, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Nepal, and Scandinavia, to name just a few. Most recently, he and Susan explored Italy, Spain, and Mexico, traveled extensively throughout the U.S., highlighted by visits to many U.S. National Parks, and spent time visiting their 12 shared grandchildren. Together, they recently completed a renovation of his family’s beloved multigenerational cottage on Portage Lake in Chassell, MI, ensuring that it could be enjoyed by his family ‘for another 100 years’.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Bryan (Mindy) Bjork of Naperville, IL, Adam Bjork of Atlanta, GA, and Jonathan (Meghan) Bjork of Marquette, MI; grandchildren, Gavin, Macy, Annika, Miles, and Charley Bjork; and his sisters Karen (Steve) Cass and Helen Bjork.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, and parents, Clarence and Helen Bjork.

Friends may call at Messiah Lutheran Church on Friday, May 16, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m., with Rev. Dr. Andrew Plocher officiating. A dessert reception will immediately follow. Interment will take place at Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trillium House, Messiah Lutheran Church, or the Marquette Regional History Center.

The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com.