VERNOICA (CADOTTE) MASSAWAY
of Simmons Road in St. Ignace Township was a former Mackinac Island resident who worked at the Lakeview Hotel and Island House on Mackinac Island, and at Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace. For 25 years, she was the executive housekeeper at the Lakeview, working for Harry Ryba and Ira Green. She was the supervisory housekeeper at Kewadin Casino. She was known as a gracious lady, friends said, who always had a smile, was kind, and loved her family. Mrs. Massaway died at age 72 Saturday, May 10, 2008, at her home, following a lingering illness. She was born on Mackinac Island June 4, 1935, to Cecilia (nee Perault) and Frank Cadotte, and she attended school there. Her family lived on the island until July 1965. Mrs. Massaway was a Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Elder. She married John Massaway November 6, 1954, and he survives her. She is also survived by six sons and their families, John Jr. and Linda of St. Ignace, Frank of St. Ignace, Paul and Marion of St. Ignace, Joe and Denise of Essexville, Robert and Petina of St. Ignace, and Nicholas of St. Ignace; a daughter, Theresa St. Andrew of St. Ignace; one brother and his family, Nicholas "Bing" and Delores of Caro; three sisters, Lucille Visnaw, Theresa Howell, and Frances Bazinaw, all of St. Ignace; 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three nieces she and Mr. Massaway helped rear, including Marie Hutchins, Rose Good, and Rose Kerr. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Leona Keyser and Mary Andress; a brother-in-law, Joseph Howell; a son-in-law, LeRoy St. Andrew, and a grandson, John Massaway III. A Native American service, visitation, and a prayer service took place Monday, May 12, at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace. Deacon Don Olmstead officiated the service.
The Town Crier Mackinac Island

CAPTION RAY I. McGRATH
, 86, of St. Ignace died Saturday evening, March 9, 2002 at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care Facility. He was born at Fibron Quarry on June 4, 1915 to Owen I. and Ina (Weeda) McGRATH. He graduated from LaSalle High School in 1934 and began his 53 year career sailing the Great Lakes. He rose from deckhand on the State Ferry boats crossing the Straits of Mackinac to a career of over 25 years as Captain on many freighters. He spent the last eight years on the Kinsman Enterprise as skipper, and worked for 15 years for the Kinsman Marine, owned by George Steinbrenner. Following his colorful career, he authored an interesting book, Great Lakes Shores, "Ashore after 50 years." He also wrote for the Great Lake Pilot, the Whitefish Eagle and the Porcupine Press. He served eight years as a Mackinac County Commissioner, was a faithful member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic, the Knights of Columbus, was Past Gov. of Moose Lodge #999, and his writings and wisdom of the Great Lakes will be forever missed. He loved ships of the 600 foot length, because of the diversity of harbors and pay loads. He married Lou Violet Taylor on September 9, 1939 in St. Ignace and she survives; also a son, Terrance Michael of Escanaba; daughters-in-law, Barbara and Darla of St. Ignace; sisters, Rita Ekstrom of St. Ignace, Madge Maxheimer of Fenton, Virginia Beyersdorf of Madison, Wisc.; grandchildren, Erica Rae McGRATH, Renauda McGRATH, Daryl McGRATH, Michael McGRATH, and Marne McGrath; and four great-grandchildren, Justin, Grayson, Kendra Dane, and Jacob. He was preceded in death by his parents in 1979 and 1993; and a son, Raymond Patrick "Mickey" in 1986; and brothers, James, Maurice and Owen. At his request there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place, and a Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at 12 noon at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church with Fr. C. Michael Rhoades officiating. Burial of the Captains cremains will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery. Dodson Funeral Home, St. Ignace handled arrangements.
Source: "Twist" at Find-A-Grave

LOUISE CALCATERRA MERLO
, 93, of St. Ignace, Michigan, enjoyed a career as a bookkeeper in Detroit and St. Ignace. Mrs. Merlo died Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care in St. Ignace. The former Louise Calcaterra was born in Detroit March 11, 1914, to Angelo Calcaterra and Orsola (nee Merlo) Calcaterra. She married Laurence Merlo November 6, 1946, in Detroit. She was a bookkeeper in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Merlo moved to St. Ignace in 1978, where she became a bookkeeper for Straits Construction, owned by her brother, Mario J. Calcaterra. Mrs. Merlo was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church and St. Ann's Altar Society, and the Tuesday Sewing Club. She was survived by a brother and his family, Angelo and Virginia Calcaterra of Livonia, nieces and nephews and their families, Rosemarie Bentgen of St. Ignace, Barbara and Chuck Deloray of West Branch, Ann Marie Calcaterra of Detroit, Lori and Jeff Nork of Detroit, Mario J. and Delores Calcaterra Jr. of St. Ignace, Larry and Betty Ronzi of Detroit, Tom Ronzi of Sarasota, Florida, and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Mr. Merlo died October 4, 1988. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Merlo was preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Merlo and Angeline Ronzi, a brother, Mario J. Calcaterra Sr., who died in December 2006, and a sister-in-law, Catherine "Baba" Calcaterra, who died in 1981. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in St. Ignace. Father James Williams, Father Norbert B. Landreville, and Deacon Tom McClelland were the celebrants. A prayer service took place Sunday, April 1, at 8 p.m. with Deacon McClelland officiating. Pallbearers will be Tom Della- Moretta, Charlie Lilliquist, Mario J. Calcaterra Jr., Gina Calcaterra, Vince Minisci, and Charles Delorey. Burial will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery later in the spring. Memorials may be directed to St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.

WILMA E. (GAGER) MORRISON
- Former Germfask resident Wilma E. Morrison, 72, of 520 Main Street, Manistique, Michigan died July 20, 2011 at the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique following a 37 year disability. She was born March 27, 1939 in Curtis, Michigan the daughter of Leonard and Veretta (McGahan) Gager and attended school in Germfask. Wilma enjoyed working as a nurse's aide at the Applewood Manor in McMillan prior to her accident. She was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints of Germfask. She is survived by her sons, Donald (Diane) Reed of Seney and Tim Reed; grandchildren, Eric and Heather; great grandchildren: Justin, Elliott, Miyanna and Alexandria; sister, Delores (Virgil) Monroe of Manistique; brothers, Roger (Iris) Gager of Limestone, MI and Darwin (Irene) Gager of Beaver Grove, MI and several nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Phyllis Gager and sister-in-law, Virginia Gager. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011 in the chapel at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility in Manistique. Memorial services will follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Steven Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Curtis. Wilma's family extends a special Thank You to the caregivers at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility for their care over the past 10 years.
Source: Glenn Geirland