SSGT US AIR FORCE
KOREA
Eugene "Gene" Louis Petroskey, 79, died July 21, 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak of complications of a stroke he suffered in early 2002. Gene was born in Lake Leelanau on June 28, 1932, the oldest of 6 sons of Frank & Betty (nee Plamondon) Petroskey. He attended St. Mary's School all 12 years, served as an altar boy & played varsity basketball. Gene also played summer baseball for Lake Leelanau in the Leelanau County Independent League. Following graduation in 1950 & with the United States engaged in the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served in San Antonio, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, before being stationed in London, England, in 1951, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. In 1953, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Marie Therese Boutain, the daughter of Edward and Mary Boutain, at St. Mary's. The couple's first of nine children, Debbie, was born in England in 1954. Later that year, after completing his Air Force duty, they returned to Michigan and settled in the Detroit area. In 1974, he and his brother, Verne, conceived the idea of a specialty furniture store in northern Michigan featuring a more limited line of offerings, primarily mattresses and recliners. They named the store the Comfort Center and coined the familiar tag line, "We furnish the comfort, the rest is up to you." A year later, Gene teamed with brother Luke to open the second store in Grayling. In addition to being partial or full owner of what would become 10 stores throughout northern Michigan in the 1980s and '90s, including one in Mt. Pleasant where he partnered with his good friend Marvin Kime. For many years Gene was the familiar face and voice of the chain as TV and radio spokesman. For Gene, family always came first. As the oldest of six sons he was the responsible big brother; as the father of nine and grandfather of 31, he was the benevolent patriarch. His generosity extended far beyond his family, though, and throughout his life he quietly helped people of all ages and backgrounds by providing opportunity, encouragement, and common sense wisdom.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; nine children, Debbie, Dale, Dianne, Doug, Dennis, Donna, Duane, Dina and Danielle. Brothers Fred, Verne, and Luke. Four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law; 31 grandchildren; and three recently-born great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Don and Ken. Burial St. Mary's Cemetery. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
KOREA
Eugene "Gene" Louis Petroskey, 79, died July 21, 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak of complications of a stroke he suffered in early 2002. Gene was born in Lake Leelanau on June 28, 1932, the oldest of 6 sons of Frank & Betty (nee Plamondon) Petroskey. He attended St. Mary's School all 12 years, served as an altar boy & played varsity basketball. Gene also played summer baseball for Lake Leelanau in the Leelanau County Independent League. Following graduation in 1950 & with the United States engaged in the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served in San Antonio, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, before being stationed in London, England, in 1951, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. In 1953, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Marie Therese Boutain, the daughter of Edward and Mary Boutain, at St. Mary's. The couple's first of nine children, Debbie, was born in England in 1954. Later that year, after completing his Air Force duty, they returned to Michigan and settled in the Detroit area. In 1974, he and his brother, Verne, conceived the idea of a specialty furniture store in northern Michigan featuring a more limited line of offerings, primarily mattresses and recliners. They named the store the Comfort Center and coined the familiar tag line, "We furnish the comfort, the rest is up to you." A year later, Gene teamed with brother Luke to open the second store in Grayling. In addition to being partial or full owner of what would become 10 stores throughout northern Michigan in the 1980s and '90s, including one in Mt. Pleasant where he partnered with his good friend Marvin Kime. For many years Gene was the familiar face and voice of the chain as TV and radio spokesman. For Gene, family always came first. As the oldest of six sons he was the responsible big brother; as the father of nine and grandfather of 31, he was the benevolent patriarch. His generosity extended far beyond his family, though, and throughout his life he quietly helped people of all ages and backgrounds by providing opportunity, encouragement, and common sense wisdom.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; nine children, Debbie, Dale, Dianne, Doug, Dennis, Donna, Duane, Dina and Danielle. Brothers Fred, Verne, and Luke. Four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law; 31 grandchildren; and three recently-born great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Don and Ken. Burial St. Mary's Cemetery. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
SSGT US AIR FORCE
KOREA
Eugene "Gene" Louis Petroskey, 79, died July 21, 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak of complications of a stroke he suffered in early 2002. Gene was born in Lake Leelanau on June 28, 1932, the oldest of 6 sons of Frank & Betty (nee Plamondon) Petroskey. He attended St. Mary's School all 12 years, served as an altar boy & played varsity basketball. Gene also played summer baseball for Lake Leelanau in the Leelanau County Independent League. Following graduation in 1950 & with the United States engaged in the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served in San Antonio, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, before being stationed in London, England, in 1951, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. In 1953, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Marie Therese Boutain, the daughter of Edward and Mary Boutain, at St. Mary's. The couple's first of nine children, Debbie, was born in England in 1954. Later that year, after completing his Air Force duty, they returned to Michigan and settled in the Detroit area. In 1974, he and his brother, Verne, conceived the idea of a specialty furniture store in northern Michigan featuring a more limited line of offerings, primarily mattresses and recliners. They named the store the Comfort Center and coined the familiar tag line, "We furnish the comfort, the rest is up to you." A year later, Gene teamed with brother Luke to open the second store in Grayling. In addition to being partial or full owner of what would become 10 stores throughout northern Michigan in the 1980s and '90s, including one in Mt. Pleasant where he partnered with his good friend Marvin Kime. For many years Gene was the familiar face and voice of the chain as TV and radio spokesman. For Gene, family always came first. As the oldest of six sons he was the responsible big brother; as the father of nine and grandfather of 31, he was the benevolent patriarch. His generosity extended far beyond his family, though, and throughout his life he quietly helped people of all ages and backgrounds by providing opportunity, encouragement, and common sense wisdom.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; nine children, Debbie, Dale, Dianne, Doug, Dennis, Donna, Duane, Dina and Danielle. Brothers Fred, Verne, and Luke. Four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law; 31 grandchildren; and three recently-born great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Don and Ken. Burial St. Mary's Cemetery. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
KOREA
Eugene "Gene" Louis Petroskey, 79, died July 21, 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak of complications of a stroke he suffered in early 2002. Gene was born in Lake Leelanau on June 28, 1932, the oldest of 6 sons of Frank & Betty (nee Plamondon) Petroskey. He attended St. Mary's School all 12 years, served as an altar boy & played varsity basketball. Gene also played summer baseball for Lake Leelanau in the Leelanau County Independent League. Following graduation in 1950 & with the United States engaged in the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served in San Antonio, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, before being stationed in London, England, in 1951, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. In 1953, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Marie Therese Boutain, the daughter of Edward and Mary Boutain, at St. Mary's. The couple's first of nine children, Debbie, was born in England in 1954. Later that year, after completing his Air Force duty, they returned to Michigan and settled in the Detroit area. In 1974, he and his brother, Verne, conceived the idea of a specialty furniture store in northern Michigan featuring a more limited line of offerings, primarily mattresses and recliners. They named the store the Comfort Center and coined the familiar tag line, "We furnish the comfort, the rest is up to you." A year later, Gene teamed with brother Luke to open the second store in Grayling. In addition to being partial or full owner of what would become 10 stores throughout northern Michigan in the 1980s and '90s, including one in Mt. Pleasant where he partnered with his good friend Marvin Kime. For many years Gene was the familiar face and voice of the chain as TV and radio spokesman. For Gene, family always came first. As the oldest of six sons he was the responsible big brother; as the father of nine and grandfather of 31, he was the benevolent patriarch. His generosity extended far beyond his family, though, and throughout his life he quietly helped people of all ages and backgrounds by providing opportunity, encouragement, and common sense wisdom.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; nine children, Debbie, Dale, Dianne, Doug, Dennis, Donna, Duane, Dina and Danielle. Brothers Fred, Verne, and Luke. Four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law; 31 grandchildren; and three recently-born great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Don and Ken. Burial St. Mary's Cemetery. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
