Austin Joseph Pouliot, age 87, of 7586 Summit 19.55 Drive, Gladstone, MI died early Wednesday morning February 27, 2008, at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba.
Austin was born February 18, 1921, in Escanaba, the son of Arthur and Irene (Burgo) Pouliot. He was raised in Escanaba and attended and graduated from St. Joseph High School, class of 1940. Following school, Austin went on to serve in the United States Naval Air Corp., during WWII, from 1943 to 1946. Upon his honorable discharge, Austin returned to Escanaba and on October 24, 1950 married the former Rosemary Roberge at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Together, he and Rosemary made their home in Escanaba and began their family, raising seven children. Throughout his life, Austin was part owner of the Terrace Gardens and later went on to own and operate the Deer Forest Motel (Sleepy Hollow Motel), retiring, as a bus driver, from the Escanaba Area Public Schools. Austin is also attributed with helping establish Pouliot’s Auto Expo, in Escanaba. Austin was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and the "Escanaba Sportsman’s Club". He enjoyed horses, airplanes, boats and carpentry. Throughout his lifelong residence in Escanaba, Austin constructed all of the homes he and Rosemary resided in. He loved his family very much and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, Austin leaves to survive:
1 Daughter: Michele (Phil) Shields of Escanaba, MI
6 Sons: Gregory (Katherine) Pouliot of Sheboygan, WI, John Pouliot of Gladstone, MI, Joel (Sally) Pouliot of Gladstone, MI, Mitchell (Gretchen) Pouliot of Portage, MI, William (Greta) Pouliot of Gladstone, MI, Jeffery (Brenda) Pouliot of Hudsonville, MI
18 Grandchildren: Tanya, Stacie, Stephanie, Renee, Nicholas, Robert, Rachel, Johnna,
David, Daniel, Tamara, Philip, Samuel, Michael, Mikayla, Alyssa,
Emalie, Cameron
4 Great Grandchildren: Bailey, Fern, Fletcher, Taylar
2 Brothers: Marvin (Theresa) Pouliot of Gladstone, MI, Don (Mary Sue) Pouliot of Goleta, CA
2 Sisters: Mildred (Harold) Marenger of Gross, MI, Ruth (Joe) Horan of Chicago, IL
Sister-In-Laws: Louise Abb and Therese Roberge
Special Nieces and Nephew: Rosemary Hurlburt and William Labre
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Rita (Clyde) Cox.
Austin’s family will receive friends on Friday, February 29 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba. The Blessed Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM, at the funeral home, followed by Military Rites conducted by the Delta County Veterans Council at 7:45 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 1 at 11:00 AM at St. Anne’s Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Francis DeGroot and Rev. Fr. Mike Steber officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately following funeral services in the church fellowship hall. Austin will be laid to rest, in the spring, at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Escanaba. Memorial contributions in Austin’s name may be directed to St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba.
