Gerald “Jerry” Curley

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Roger Carriere is a cultural icon of the North and a man that lived the history of Canada’s fur trade. True to the ideals that helped found that country, he brought together the best of the Aboriginal world and mainstream Canada. He lived a life of excellence, a life that was never easy yet whose achievements were second to none.

Roger Carriere was born in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, in 1929. He worked for the Canadian National railway for 43 years, and was a fur trapper all of his life. He was well known throughout western Canada as “King Trapper of the North” and holds the record for most titles in prestigious king trapper events – competitions that showcase the skills that were once so important for survival in Canada’s north. While being able to light a fire in any conditions, run for miles in snow-shoes and efficiently set a trap are not commonly practiced skills today, they were the basis of the fur trade and integral to the development of the Canada of today.

His passing marks the end of an era; his lifetime holds lessons that should be followed by future generations. The legendary status that he held conveys the importance of fitness, strength and the importance of a strong work ethic and maintaining high expectations.

Roger’s talents were showcased on Sesame Street years ago where he was the Elder, teaching a group of youngsters how to make bannock over a fire and other bush skills.

Paraphrased from “A Canadian Story” by James B. Wilson, Director of Education, Opaskwayak Educational Authority Inc.

Gerald Cesar, from Ashley Michigan, was a machine operator at an Oldsmobile facility, weight lifter and all-around athlete. He loved the outdoors and ran several miles every day training for his back-country trips. His wife and 2 children, Todd and Jill, went and watched him in canoe races on weekends, and when not racing, they’d be out canoeing, camping and hiking as a family.

In 1975, on a wilderness canoe trip to Lake Superior’s North Shore on Ontario’s White River, Jerry lost his life when he was swept over an unexpected cascade, Angler Falls. His partner on that trip returned there with Jerry’s son later to erect a handmade monument at the site. This trip was written about and published in the July 1999 issue of Canoe & Kayak magazine.

It is but small comfort to know that he was doing what he truly loved.

Gerald Cesar paddled The Marathon twice – in 1968 with William VanDerWoude, 13^th place finish, and in 1972 with Verlen Kruger, 8^th place

Ted graduated from Michigan State University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology; in 1954 he completed his Master Degree.

Ted married Joyce Gould Engel in Hemlock, Michigan, on September 12, 1953. For two years, 1954-1955, Ted spent summers mapping Alaska while he was in the United States Army.

Ted, Joyce and family lived in Ishpeming, Michigan, for 4 years while Ted worked for Cleveland Cliff & Iron Company. They moved to Gaylord in 1959. During Ted’s career he was a business man for 30 years, a minister in the Community of Christ Church for over 40 years, a counselor for Catholic Human Services and the Gaylord Friendship Shelter for 10 years. Ted enjoyed camping with friends and relatives; he also made 5 trips to Colorado and Wyoming with teenagers from Michigan, backpacking and mountain climbing. Together, Ted and Joyce have 3 children:  David Engel, Lewiston, Michigan; Karen Stotts, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Kathy McLuckie, Kansas City, Missouri.

Ted made his transition May 17, 2005 after a very brief illness.

Written by John Cook, Marathon Historian

Ted paddled The Marathon 5 times, finishing 4 of them with Jay Stephan Sr.:  1948 for 2^nd place, 1949 did not finish, 1950 for 1^st place, 1951 for 1^st place and 1952 for 1^st place.

Mern was born on June 13, 1924, to Robert and Edith (Yorton) Ferris in Forest Township. He was very active in the Otisville community all of his life. He was an avid golfer, raced canoes and hunted. He was a member of UAW Local #658, retiring from A.C. Spark Plug in 1976. He was a former building inspector for Forest Township. He had 2 sons:  Pat Ferris and Dennis Anas.

Mern was a charter member of the Michigan Canoe Racing Association and the Flint Canoe Club. He paddled The Marathon 5 times and finished 2 of them: 1953 with Merritt Yorton finished 6^th, 1954 with Merritt Yorton did not finish, 1955 with Jimmy Dynes did not finish, 1956 with Millard Newman finished 7^th, and 1959 with Jimmy Dynes did not finish.

Charles John “Chuck” Hennigar was born April 23, 1947, in Detroit and moved to Oscoda when he was 9. He became interested in canoe racing as a teenager and he and his father, Gerald, and brother, Dave, experimented with designing and building their own paddles and canoes. They used an old water heater they converted to steam the wood, allowing it to be bent for the gunwales and ribs.

Chuck raced in several AuSable Marathons and many other canoe races around the state. In 1963, at the age of 16, he finished The Marathon coming in 10^th place partnered with Ken Brown. After graduating from Oscoda High School, he attended Michigan Tech in Sault Ste. Marie and then Michigan State, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. Following a career working as an engineer in Michigan and around the country, he returned in the late 90’s to live in the family home in Oscoda. Chuck enjoyed reading, travel, ballroom dancing and computers. He traveled to Mexico and South America, spending time in Mexico working to improve his Spanish. He died on February 5, 2004, while playing racquetball at the base gym.

Chuck has 4 children:  Tracey, Tama, Dave and Mike who have fond memories of canoeing on the AuSable with their Dad. His daughter Tama remembers: “I definitely have fond memories of canoeing with my Dad. It was like pulling teeth to get him to come down to the lake with us because of the temperature, but he would always take us canoeing if we wanted to go. Sometimes we had to wait a while for him to finish whatever he was working on, but once we got going we always had a nice time and you could tell he really enjoyed it.”

In 1963, Chuck placed 10^th place with Norm Brown in The Marathon.

Richard Lee Kent, 57, of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly at home Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Rich was born April 16, 1953, in Atlanta, to James and Muriel (Cumper) Kent.

In 1971, Rich graduated from Atlanta High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Central Michigan University.

Rich’s attention to detail and desire to excel earned him numerous leadership positions throughout his career of 27 years in the automotive industry.

Rich earned his Black Belt in Karate, enjoyed marathon canoe racing, fishing, hunting, feeding the birds, playing guitar and being on the river. Above all, he valued his family.

Rich is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patsy (Moran) Kent; his daughter, Kandi (Josh) Lannen; his son, Jason (Jennifer) Kent; his grandchildren, Christopher, Loryn, Kamerin, Ryan, Raegan and Chase; his brothers, Jack, Jim, Dave and Dan; and his sister, Naomi.

Rich paddled the Marathon in 2008 with Chris Kucharek to a 51^st place finish.

Ronald was born in Muskegon and spent many summers in the Montague/Whitehall area, and many happy hours on the lakes. His family moved to Greenville during his senior year of high school and he finished school there. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the winter of 1950 and returned to Greenville in 1954 and attended Michigan State University. It was after that that he met Norm Brown and became his canoeing partner for the AuSable Marathon. He always relayed fond memories of the race and he and Norm would laugh and tell stories whenever they got together. Norm’s wife and family followed by car during one of the races and met the men at several bridges along the way and she would recall the story of trying to locate and buy Ron a fried egg sandwich in the middle of the night. Having finally managing to get one and locating them at the next bridge, Ron had the nerve to complain that the sandwich was cold. I always thought that she could have wrapped the sandwich around his neck if she could have reached him.

Ron went on to work as a field engineer for National Cash Register Company in Lansing for 37 years. He married Carole and raised two daughters. In 1975 he purchased a sailboat and slipped it in Montague and for the next 28 years sailed one boat or another in and around the waters of Whitehall/Montague and Muskegon. His sailing came to an abrupt end with a terminal diagnosis of brain cancer in 1998.

The waters of Michigan always held a special place in Ron’s heart and he was content to be on them in any capacity. I always felt that he was sorry that he wasn’t led to canoe racing in his younger years. He and Norm Brown paired up for a “friendly” hometown race many years later and it nearly did both of them in. I think he had forgotten just how demanding it was.

He was a good man. An honest man, a great father and a loving husband and I feel so blessed to have been his wife. He would be surprised by this nomination. He was simply doing what he enjoyed along with his good friend.

Submitted by Carole Kienke

Ron paddled with Norm Brown to a 13^th place finish in 1958.

Meburne Edward “Meb” LeMieux was born and raised in Alpena. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He returned home in 1946 to start Alpena Collision Service and Towing. More recently he went there every day to watch his son, Mick, run the business.

Meb loved paddling 26-foot long V-bottom canoes – “the kind you have to keep paddling or you tip over.”

During one race, a friend cheered so hard on the Mio bridge that he fell off. Meb and his partner had to stop and help him to shore before continuing on.

Meb passed on January 30, 2009

Meb entered in 7 Marathons, finishing 5:  1949 with Earl Graham, 10^th place, 1950 with Walter Kierce, 6^th place, 1951 with Harold Spencer, did not finish, 1952 with Louis Crevier, finished 7^th, 1953 with Louis Crevier, finished 5^th, 1956 with Louis Crevier, finished 9^th, 1957 with Jim Ludwig, did not finish.

Bill Schmitz, 56, of Commerce, died Tuesday, just two days after paddling the 120-mile Au Sable River Canoe Marathon from Grayling to Oscoda. Schmitz suffered a massive heart attack unrelated to The Marathon at his cabin in Rudyard. “He just said that he felt really good,” said Dave Hallman, a friend of Schmitz, recalling a phone message left for him Monday night. “A lot of people at the banquet Sunday night said he looked better than they did.”

Schmitz raced in the Au Sable marathon nine times, among other Michigan Canoe Racing Association events. “The paddling community lost a good friend and a great ambassador,” Hallman said. “You could always count on two things when you paddle with Bill: One, he was going to give you advice whether you wanted it or not, and two, you were going to get some stories.”

Schmitz is survived by three adult daughters, Brooke, Lindsey and Ashlynn.

Josh Katzenstein, Detroit News

Bill paddled to the following finishes:

1978 – 6th Place (16:15:10) age 24     Paddled with Darwin Gilbert
1980 – 8th Place (15:55:45) age 26     Paddled with Jack Kolka
1982 – 5th Place (15:29:13) age 28     Paddled with Dave Sipe
1983 – 5th Place (15:46:50) age 29     Paddled with Ted Cowan
1984 – 7th Place (15:49:37) age 30     Paddled with Doug Killingbeck
1993 – 12th Place (15:28:59) age 39   Paddled with Ted Kolka
2003 – Did Not Finish age 49     Paddled with Tad Hill
2010 – 41st Place (16:19:31) age 56     Paddled with Doug Van Meter

Harold lived at Alcona Dam and ran a boat livery on the backwater from 1943 to 1948. During the war years his uncle bought him an old 18-foot Kennebec canoe that had no covering and canvas was not available at the time. The only thing available was feather ticking, which worked but required painting quite often. That got him interested in canoeing and he paddled a lot on the backwater and in the river between Mio and Alcona. He was 16 when the first Marathon came through Alcona and he caught the racing bug. He and his brother-in-law Steve Kolonich teamed up to race in 1948 but did not finish, 1949 they finished 10^th, and 1950 they took 8^th place in a 16-foot plywood canoe. Harold also entered in 1951 with Meb LeMieux and in 1952 with Carl Joy but did not finish in either of those years.

Harold attended Oscoda High School and graduated from Mio High School in 1950. After school he worked at construction, building substations around Michigan. With his wife Audrane (Gosnell) and two daughters, the family moved to Alaska in the spring of 1955 pulling a 28-foot house trailer over the Alaska Highway. They homesteaded 160 acres in the mountains just south of Anchorage and Harold worked as an electrician at Fort Richardson in Anchorage. He transferred to the Army’s Pump Station in Tok in 1962 where he lived until his death in August 1965. After moving to Tok he bought an airplane and while hunting Dall sheep he probably hit a downdrafat and crashed into the mountain in Gillett Pass.

John Wojahn lived most of his life in the Tawas area. He worked for a few years in Flint at the Chevrolet Engine Plant, then he returned to Tawas, married Rosalie Freel and raised 5 children. He went to work for D & M Railroad and in 1948 he started his own trucking business hauling sand, gravel, and black dirt in the Tawas and Oscoda area. He loaded his truck with a shovel. Kind of not heard of these days, people working that hard. Later years he had a tractor to load his truck.

In the fall and winter he cut pulp wood and also trapped on Tawas Lake and the AuSable River. In 1949 he entered The Marathon with his brother, Hugo Wojahn, they finished in 5th place. They said that he was the oldest racer that year. He retired in 1963 and really enjoyed retirement. He passed away in November 1995. He was married over 50 years. In his later years he made a daily drive to Tawas Lake just to check things out. That is where he spent most of his leisure time.

Percy was born on September 16, 1914. He married Betty McConnell on September 16, 1939. He served in the U.S. Army starting in 1943. In the mid-forties it was suggested that there be a race down the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda. Percy and his partner set off to prove that it could be done. They completed the trip in 3 days, paddling by day and camping by night, and in September 1947 the first annual Marathon was held.

Percy loved Oscoda and the AuSable River. He and his brothers loved to fish the river and appreciated the area as they grew older. Percy managed then owned a bar in the late forties, was Supervisor of AuSable Township, served on the School Board, was Superintendent of Maintenance at Oscoda High School, worked for Oscoda Township Parks & Recreation and sold real estate.

In the late 70’s Percy & Betty Jocks moved to Spider Lake in Marcell, Minnesota to retire and be close to their son Richard and his family.

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Rejean Huard was born in Shawinigan, Quebec on March 22, 1942, son of Neree and Helene. He married Micheline in 1976, with whom he had two children, Nathalie and Jean-Francois. He already had another child named Jean-Marc.

Having lived in Montreal for most of his life to pursue a career in sales where he ended up as the national director of sales for Hershey, Rejean moved to his hometown of Shawinigan after retiring in the 90’s.

His passion for canoe and the fact that he had participated in a lot of races throughout the province of Quebec led him to a position as the director of La Classique international de canots de la Mauricie. What was supposed to be a one year contract ended up taking fifteen years of his life.

When he began his new position, the organization was in verge of bankruptcy and he quickly elevated it to one of the most prestigious race in North America. He helped develop the Triple Crown of canoe racing when it was only a few years old and promoted canoe all over America.

His past-times included football and movies, mostly those concerning World War II, but he dedicated his life to the world of canoe racing. His dearest friends were the ones who shared his passion with him and his favorite place to go was in Michigan, where he would share stories and adventures with people there.

At the end of 2013 he was diagnosticated with cancer and doctors told him he would only have a few months to live. Nevertheless, he stayed strong and always told everyone that he was ready to go, having fulfill everything he wanted to do in his life. He died on November 3th 2014, paddling his way to a better place where he could continue his passion endlessly.

Ed was born April 14, 1958 in Detroit, the son of Edward Jr and Margaret (Prevost) Martella. He was a resident of Grayling for 24 years, moving there from Mt Pleasant in 1975.

He married Karen Schlehuber on December 15, 1984. He was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and a 3^rd degree member of the Grayling Knights of Columbus, Council 1982.

Ed was employed by Halliburton Energy Services as a service coordinator. He was active, with wife Karen, as a leader in “Marriage Encounter.” In his spare time, he liked to golf, hunt and go camping.

Ed was a huge fan of the Marathon and head feeder for his brothers. He accomplished a bucket list feat when he completed the Marathon with his brother Bill in 1987. Ed said that even after watching the Marathon many times, competing in and finishing the race was a much different experience than he had expected – that you had to do it to know what it’s like.

Ed passed away on October 2, 1999.

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 9,1964 to Edward and Margaret (Prevost) Martella.

Bill cherished his family, and his two daughters were always at the center of his world. He was a loving and encouraging father, active in every detail of their lives. Bill enjoyed hunting and a good round of golf. He was a realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt of Gaylord since 2003, and was very involved in his community. Bill’s family is incredibly proud of the man he was and will carry on his legacy.

Bill was a fearless and determined competitor. The first year he decided to paddle he had no idea about equipment and training required. Ending up in a borrowed boat and finishing, despite some illness. Another year he competed with stitches in his head from a recent accident – nothing would stop him.

Bill passed away on February 15, 2016.

John was born September 26, 1941 in Flint to John and Ann ( Mieczewski) Nemeth. He married Judith Day on February 9, 1963 and retired from Chevrolet Metal Fabrication. John enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. His family remembers him as a man of faith, perseverance, humor, kindness, creativity, stubbornness, steadiness and sensitivity.

John designed many C2 racing canoes, kayaks and C1 canoes and built them in his garage. He was a long-time member of the MCRA, as well as the USCA. He took first place in C1 Nationals in his age group as well as C2 several times.

Marathon historian John Cook said “…He was an outstanding paddler and had the record to prove it with two Amateur wins, two Top Ten Pro finishes and two Pro Senior Division wins. If he had raced more than 7 Marathons over those 24 years who knows what he would have achieved…In 1985 Kim David and John Nemeth were the most competitive amateur team in Marathon history as only 4 pro teams had a faster finishing time.”

John passed away on October 29, 2016.

Bob was born October 10, 1944 in Detroit, son of Alfred and Helen (Kellogg) Proulx. He grew up in Walled Lake and graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1963. Bob spent a lot of summer time as a youth at his Grandma and Grandpa Kellogg’s home (Ed and Bessie) on the North Branch outside of Grayling. His Uncles (John, Robert and Elmer Kellogg, who also paddled the Marathon) taught him and his cousins (Bill, Jeff and Jerry Kellogg) a lot about the river, canoeing and the Marathon.

Bob served in the Navy from 1964-1967 during the Vietnam War. After the Navy Bob worked in the trades and became skilled as a brick/block mason. Later in his career he also worked a lot with cement flat work. He paddled and finished the Marathon five times from 1970-1975. He also paddled many local races in Michigan, paddled a few in Canada and New York. He married Catherine Munsell in 1981, they lived in Byron, Michigan.

Marathon Stats:

1970: with Dave Bryant 5^th place
1971: with John Baker 3^rd place
1972: with Jeff Kellogg 6^th place
1973: with Don Burklund 7^th place
1975: with Gary Mundy 5^th place

When Bob’s nephews (Brad Gross, Todd Bennett and Ryan Bennett) started paddling the Marathon Bob began following the race closely again. Along with following the paddlers, Bob enjoyed very much reconnecting with many of the people he had known from his paddling years.

Bob was a hard worker and enjoyed working with his hands. Bob and his wife built a small log cabin and a log workshop at their Byron home from repurposed 6x6s. Bob enjoyed life, he enjoyed being outdoors, visiting with family and he always had a smile.

Bob passed away on October 18, 2015 from an inoperable carcinoma of the brain.

Joseph W Seifert Jr was born September 26, 1951 to Joseph and Betreva (Shields) Seifert.

Joe, prior to paddling had an athletic background tracing back to high school track and field in Alliance, Ohio. He attended Ohio University on a track and field scholarship. Once entering the workforce and moving to Northern Michigan where his wife Sue was originally from, Joe was exposed to other sports Michigan offered through family and self-discovery.

A favorite story of how he was introduced to canoe (racing) culture was when Jack Kolka (Sue’s uncle) put Joe and Sue in a (racing) canoe on one of their first dates, throwing them a roll of duct tape and wishing them well on down the river. That trip probably planted the seed that eventually grew into his passion for the sport.

He was also fond of Nordic Skiing and had an interesting encounter before moving to Michigan from Ohio when he and a fellow Buckeye attempted to race the 50K White Pine Stampede in military-issue long underwear and wooden skis. They only made it to the 20K finish due to brutally cold temps. Joe would later look back on that particular year of the White Pine when he eventually returned to race it every year, in better physical shape, proper clothing and lighter, modern skis.

Movement and activity were very important to Joe. Even if he wasn’t training, racing or simply enjoying all of his sports (canoeing, running, biking, skiing), he always had something to do. He had tremendous energy. His work as an electrical inspector for (eventually) four jurisdictions in Northern Michigan kept him driving in his car, travelling locally; then maintaining his obligations as lead instrument technician at Georgia-Pacific in Grayling. Towards his last years with Georgia-Pacific, the company began a pedometer incentive program, which Joe constantly won due to his constant movement. He also was busy taking care of his and Sue’s horse farm. They kept five horses – another full-time job. Between maintenance of fences, feeding the horses and creating a beautiful “Ranchette” (as it was called), Joe was always busy with that – when he wasn’t busy with everything else.

He also completed his first 26.2 mile running marathon in 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee, where his son Michael resided at the time. This is a feat that any short distance runner longs to accomplish. He spent the three days following the marathon on Michael’s couch before driving home. Quite ironic for a man who was always on the move. It was probably the only endurance event that put him down for any length of time.

Surprising, Joe also took time (albeit short) to sit still and reflect. He was a man of tremendous faith. He was incredibly involved with the Catholic Church, attending mass every Saturday or Sunday – and later, several times a week. Upon diagnosis of cancer in 2012 he also began practicing Yoga under the guidance of his daughter Gwen. He sought yoga as a complement to heal from the cancer treatments and reap the benefits of body awareness. He also combined the meditative qualities of Yoga with being in nature.

Joe had the privilege to pass his canoe legacy and lessons to Gwen. Before his diagnosis he took Gwen down her first AuSable Canoe Marathon in 2012. He raced his final ARCM in 2015 with Gwen as well. Gwen continues to paddle with fond memories of her father and fellow paddler – his stories, lessons in the sport, awful jokes – and of course the infectious smile and positive energy that touched many in the community of the sport, locally and internationally.

In addition to 14 career ARCM finishes, Joe has completed the North American Triple Crown of Canoe Racing countless times. He very much enjoyed traveling to Cooperstown, NY and Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada to race, see new rivers and celebrate the cultural comradery in other parts of the world.

Paul finished four Marathons:

1)  1978 – Age 38 – 17:14:23 – 13th Place – Tony Short (Age 14)
2)  1979 – Age 39 – 16:14:28 – 13th Place – Tony Short (Age 15)
3)  1980 – Age 40 – 15:47:10 – 7th Place – Tony Short (Age 16)
4)  1981 – Age 41 – 16:46:15 – 8th Place – Darwin Gilbert

He built the boats that he paddled in the Marathon. The AuSable was his favorite river.

Paul took a turn at being President of the MCRA and served on the board.

Paul organized and raised all of the funds for the 5 Channel Spring Warm-up. He also helped Tony with the Indian River Race. He was always eager to help and encourage new paddlers.

Paul paddled and raced until 2016. He raced with son Tony, daughter Diana, wife Helen, brother Lee and grandson Austin Short. While in Florida, he raced and trained with Eugene Jensen.

Paul was married to Helen for over 50 years and was a military veteran.

Before canoe racing he raced snowmobiles and dirt bikes. He loved cross-country skiing, fishing and hunting.

Paul retired at a young age and was able to winter in Florida where he paddled all winter for many years.

Finished the Marathon in 2009 at age 27. His partner was Chris Scully, who was 49 years old. They finished in 64^th place with a time of 17:09:15.

Shawn was born on May 2, 1982 to parents Kevin and Alona Smith and had two brothers, Corey and Kyle Smith. The family spent many summers camping and canoeing on the AuSable River. It was always a relaxing and exciting time in the woods and waters in and around northern Michigan. Shawn and his younger brother Kyle entered and won many of the Harry Curley Children’s Canoe Races. The family followed the “Up All Night” races nearly every year.

Shawn entered the US Army after graduating from Oscoda High School. He became a tracked vehicle mechanic. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, then sent to Iraq for 14 months. When he returned, he transitioned back into civilian life, moving back to Oscoda with his wife Abby and daughter Kalynne. The couple welcomed a second daughter, Emily, in 2007. His young family spent many weekends paddling and swimming in the AuSable.

Shawn was always amazed by the paddlers in the all-night competition. He had it on his “Bucket List” of things he really wanted to accomplish. Shawn hooked up with Rod Matthews, who encouraged him to go for it. He then teamed up with Chris Scully, who coached Shawn, sharing the many things he had learned and experienced in training and paddling the Marathon. Shawn was able to borrow a racing canoe from a local Oscoda man, Chuck Schweikert, and so his practice and conditioning began. He paddled frequently with Scully and Matthews, along with other Oscoda paddlers; practicing many evenings and weekends leading up to the race.

Shawn was ecstatic to finish the race. He admitted it was a grueling ordeal and found much self-satisfaction after crossing the finish line. He continued to spend many hours on the river, practicing and just finding the solitude with nature. He had planned to enter the Marathon again in 2010 but an accident on July 3^rd left him with a broken neck. It was heartbreaking for him. The doctors were amazed at his recovery and attributed much of it to the strength of his neck and shoulders from paddling.

After his accident, Shawn encountered many new challenges. He relocated to the Boyne Falls and Petoskey area, going to college. He did find time to paddle but it was most often leisurely, with his daughters, sharing his love of the AuSable with them. He was taken too soon, on January 29, 2015.

Douglas C. Welch was born January 20, 1935 in Mio, Michigan. After high school graduation he enlisted in the Army. He was a truck driver most of his life, retiring from the Trades Union, before starting and operating Crystal Clean Water Company.

He married Evelyn Lundy Portice on March 27, 1992 in Indiana, then paddled the Klondike Race in Vassar, Michigan the next day.

Doug and Evelyn sponsored the MCRA race on the Shiawassee River for several years on the last Saturday in April.

In 1992, at age 57, Doug paddled the Marathon with David Roach, 52, to a 27^th place finish. They may have been the first Senior Class team to finish the Marathon. In 1993 Doug, 58, paddled with Mark Rimer, 38, to a 28^th place finish. In 1998 Doug, 63, paddled with Rick Gillings, 40, but did not finish.

Doug passed away on January 2, 2017 in Corunna, Michigan.

Stephne Staples was born May 10, 1932 in Lansing, Michigan. Her family and friends affectionately knew and adored her as Stevie. She lived each day of her life as an adventure until her passing on December 26, 2006. Stevie was married to William Staples, an avid paddler and MCRA monument honoree. Together they had six children who grew up along the riverbank because of their parents’ passion for canoe racing.

Stevie was a Michigan State University graduate, involved with Michigan Audubon Society and Capital City Audubon, and a lifelong teacher in St John’s Public Schools. Once school was out for the summer, Stevie worked endlessly on preparations for the canoe races. She was part of the team of volunteers that made sure that each canoe race ran smoothly. Stevie organized volunteers as timekeepers, canoe judges and spotters on the river, in addition to organizing and maintaining race supplies.

Stevie was one of the finest writers and publishers of the MCRA Newsletter. She also served as the association’s secretary for many years. Paddlers will say she didn’t just write a newsletter; it was filled with information that made you want to go to the races. Because of Stevie, you always knew what was going on in the canoe world. There were tidbits about the racers and their families, which helped paddlers know each other better and develop lifelong friendships.

Stevie even helped other cities organize their own canoe races when they would contact the MCRA. Paddlers around the country gained valuable information from Stevie about the requirements and details of organizing successful canoe races. Stevie put her heart and soul into countless Michigan canoe races, but especially relished the AuSable Canoe Race. She loved the river and spending summers in Oscoda, Michigan. Because of Stevie the sport of canoe racing is greatly improved and paddlers are forever indebted to her service.

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