St. Ignace Memorial Honors Commercial Fishermen Who Perished on Lakes

The newly erected Fishermen's Memorial near the boardwalk between the St. Ignace Public Marina and the Wawatam Lighthouse was dedicated during the St. Ignace Fish Feast Saturday, July 28. Pictured are supporters and committee members who helped fund the memorial: (from left) Andy Valentine, Jim Artis, who sculpted the metal whitefish atop the stone memorial, St. Ignace Mayor Paul Grondin, Violet Gustafson, Shirley Bentgen, Ray Halberg, Jim Brown, Paul Gustafson, Steve Grondin, and Eldon Winberg, who donated the masonry work to erect the memorial.

A waterfront memorial paying tribute to the 25 local commercial fishermen who lost their lives in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan was dedicated during the St. Ignace Fish Feast Saturday, July 28.

A few members of the committee that raised funds for the memorial, near the boardwalk between the St. Ignace Public Marina and Watawam Lighthouse, spoke to a large crowd gathered for the dedication.

The memorial features two bronze plaques with names of commercial fishermen who lost their lives while working, topped by a large metal whitefish on a stone foundation.

The Reverend Wayne Foote of the Glen Memorial Baptist Church remembered many of the men who perished while fishing in the Great Lakes. He blessed the 25 men whose names are listed, and those who still grieve for the loved ones they lost.

"The waters of the Great Lakes are so beautiful, but yet they are also unforgiving," said Rev. Foote. "Our hearts still grieve for you and your loved ones."

The committee, headed by Shirley Bentgen, includes Violet Gustafson, Paul Gustafson, Ray Halberg, Jim Brown, Steve Grondin, and Andy Valentine.

The committee raised $7,000 to build the memorial.

Men from Mackinac County who lost their lives while commercial fishing include:

1851 - Michael McCann, 36, Mackinac Island. 1936 - Louis Hart, 28, Epoufette; Robert Goudreau, 33, Epoufette; Jim Dishaw, 47, Epoufette. 1937 - Carl Matson, 28, St. Ignace; Ray McLean, 30, St. Ignace. 1945 - Teddy Paulson, 17, Naubinway. 1946 - Frank L. Brix, 38, Naubinway. 1954 - John G. Ellison, 63, St. Ignace Township; John J. Ellison, 29, St. Ignace Township. 1964 - Art Stiebe, 31, St. Ignace. 1969 - Terry Halberg, 16, St.Ignace; Melvin Frazier, 51, Naubinway. 1977 - Alvin Gustafson, 67, St. Ignace; Gary Gustafson, 37, St. Ignace. 1980

- Cliff Bigelow, 22, Epoufette; Mike Bigelow, 24, Epoufette.

1983 - James Converse Jr., 28, Naubinway; Edward Moses, 27, St. Ignace. 1986 - Edward E. Perkins, 47, Naubinway; Rusty G. King, 31, Naubinway; Kirk J. Peterson, 28, Naubinway. 1993 - Robert Rickley, 23, St. Ignace; Rick Wessel, 35, Mackinac Island.

1999 - Roy C. Frazier, 25, Naubinway.