Francis Clayton “Pudge” L’Huillier

Fran was a lifelong resident of Marquette, known by many and liked by all. He was a humble man with quiet strength, integrity and a generous spirit.

Born and raised in South Marquette, Fran grew up near Hurley Field, where he picked up playing baseball and fast pitch softball at a young age. He was an all-around natural athlete. In high school, he was a varsity letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and track, earning 10 varsity letters.

After graduation, Pudge was drafted by the San Francisco Giants. His professional ball career was short-lived, ending with an injury during spring training. He returned to Marquette and, after working briefly for the Board of Light and Power, attended Northern Michigan University. At NMU, Pudge was a proud member of the TKE fraternity, where he met brothers who became lifelong friends. Following graduation, he headed downstate for his first teaching position at Cherry Hill public schools.

On a visit back home to Marquette, Pudge met a beautiful young lady at The Four Seasons bowling lanes. He asked her to dance to The Green Green Grass of Home, a song he’d selected on the jukebox while the band was on a break. That young lady, Maxine Nelson, became his beloved wife of 56 years.

Fran moved back home to the U.P., where he earned his masters in education and taught at Negaunee and later Marquette public schools. He is in the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” and was often told by former students that he was their favorite teacher. For many years, Fran was also a dedicated coach, mentoring young players in football, basketball, track and tennis. In addition, Fran worked the clock at NMU’s football and basketball games and officiated high school basketball games with his dear friends Ducky Perrin and David St. Onge.

Throughout it all, Pudge continued to play fast pitch softball every summer until his knees would not allow it. He was a power hitter who had a love for the game. During his softball career, he hit over 800 home runs and had a lifetime batting average of over .400. He played on championship teams (regional, state and national) and was awarded MVP or most valuable infielder in 53 tournaments. As competitive as he was, it was the camaraderie and good times together with his teammates, other players, and their families that meant the most.

For his sporting achievements, Fran was inducted into and is a member of the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame and the State of Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame.

After his softball career ended, Fran picked a new summer sport – golf. The natural athlete he was, he quickly became a competitive golfer and even had two holes-in-one. For many years, he enjoyed playing every day the season would permit and Friday night dinners with Maxine at the club. They also enjoyed going to the Legion to socialize, where Pudge was a member of the Sons of The American Legion.

Like his dad, Fran also enjoyed cribbage. He played in Wednesday cribbage tournaments at the Elks, where he was a 50 year member and until recently served on the local board of directors. Fran passed his knowledge of cribbage to the next generations and taught the game to both of his kids and all of his grandkids, through whom this part of him will live on.

Fran is predeceased by his parents, Clayton and Rosalie L’Huillier and his younger brother, David John. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Maxine; children, David (Shana) L’Huillier and Liisa (Doug) Pepe; grandchildren, Jakob and Lexi L’Huillier and Andrew, Desmond, Kyra and Deegan Pepe; siblings, Stella Michaelson, Maureena (Richard) Olds, Michael (Kim) L’Huillier, and Sherry Penar; in-laws, Tom and Sandra Vitito; many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Fran has been described as salt of the earth, family oriented, religious, hard-working, genuine, caring, selfless, unwavering, extraordinary, strong, resilient, and courageous. We will miss his wisdom, his stories, his company, and his hugs – he gave the best “Papa” hugs!

Fran truly was one of the great ones. Thank you to all who shared in Fran’s life in this community that he loved so much. The family would also like to thank Dr. Acharya and the staff at the Marquette office of the U.P. Health System Cancer Center for their care and compassion, as well as Father Brandon Oman of St. Peter Cathedral, who remembered Fran from his ministry at St. Michael parish where Fran was a parishioner and served as an usher, for coming on quick notice and compassionately delivering final sacraments.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 12 to 2 pm at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm with Rev. Brandon Oman officiating. A gathering to celebrate Fran’s life will follow the service at the Marquette American Legion Post 44.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Memories of Fran may be shared at canalefuneral.com