"With thoughts of deepest sympathy to let you know we care. Peter and Irma"
In loving memory of
Gene Paul LaRock
July 21, 1940 - March 14, 2003
Gene P. LaRock, 62, of 8159 Garth Point Lane, Rapid River, formerly of Marquette, died Friday afternoon, March 14, 2003 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba where he had been hospitalized a short time.
Mr. LaRock was born in Munising on July 21, 1940 to Clyde and Esther (Gran) LaRock. He was a 1959 graduate of Munising High School and following graduation, Gene served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Gene attended the Dunwoody School of Baking in Wisconsin. Following his education there he returned to the Upper Peninsula where he met his future wife, the former Susan L. Hill and together they were married on January 23, 1965 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming.
Gene owned and operated Genes Sweet Goods formerly located on Third Street in Marquette for many years. He later attended the Ansul school of fire training and worked for Interstate Welding as a fire and safety technician until his retirement in 1997.
He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Ishpeming Knights of Columbus Council and also served as leader of their Columbian Squires group. Gene was also a member of the Negaunee Elks Lodge. He coached Marquette Junior Hockey and Little League Baseball teams for 14 years. He also formerly served on the board of directors of the Marquette Junior Hockey Corporation.
While residents of Marquette, Gene and his family were members of St. Peter Cathedral.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Susan L. LaRock of Rapid River; three children, Sean LaRock and his fianc, Marnie Pearsall of Milwaukee, WI, Kevin LaRock of Milwaukee, and Stacey (Mike) Corbett of Colorado Springs, CO; two grandchildren, Jordan and Mayson Corbett; his mother, Esther LaRock of Marquette; one brother, Ed C. LaRock of Marquette; seven sisters, Sheila (John) Robert of Milwaukee, Karen (Joseph) DaFonseca of New Bern, NC, Linda (Bob) Graves of Beaver Island, MI, Joan Manty of Marquette, Mary (Marv) Laurila of Duluth, MN, Chris (Gordie) Heikka of Beaver Island, MI and Debbie (Kim) Hocking of Green Bay, WI. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde H. LaRock on September 20, 1998 and an infant brother, John in 1953.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bishops Room of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Louis C. Cappo officiating.
Pallbearers will be Marvin Laurila, Bob Graves, Kim Hocking, Dennis Carlyon, Keith Wangberg, William Hill, Edmund Polini and Byron White. Honorary bearers will be Gordie Heikka, Joe DaFonseca and John Robert.
Mr. LaRocks obituary can also be viewed at www.canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance in his guestbook.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements
Tributes
"Susan and family - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you."
"Very sorry about your loss. Can't be there I'm in Dallas, Texas. Carol & Paul Wiedenhoefer"
"Dear LaRock Family-- Have many fond memories of working with Gene at the Munising Bakery. Wish I could be there with you in this time of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"Sean and family, Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to call me. Home Phone: 428-3435, work phone: 1 800 233 7473. Haven't heard from you in a long time. I just built a new house in Kipling which is only about 1 1/2 miles across the bay to your parents place. Sorry I won't be able to make it to Marquette today. Called Lefty today to give him the news. Thinking about you. CALL ME. Take care. Hang in there. I went through this with a mother a few years ago. Every day gets better. CALL ME !! Big Guy"
"Sean and family, sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Wish I could be there to help with your sorrow. I have alot of great memories with Gene. Sean give me a call."
"MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY."
"Thinking of you and you family in time of sorrow."
"Sue, Sorry we were unable to make the service today. Our thoughts are with you all. We have only been neighbors for a short while, but Gene touched our hearts during that time. We will always remember his smile & kindness. We will miss him. (We will be there if you need help. That's what neighbors are for.)"
"Dear Sue and Family Sorry to read about Gene. Know that you and yours are in our prayers and thoughts. Gene was always so friendly to us. Peace Bill and Sandra Johnson"
"Sue and family... I don't know the words to say how sad and sorry I am for your loss. Gene was such a sweet man & you are just "the nicest family". Sue... please let me help in any way I can. I think of you often and would truly love to have you stop by and see the kids or "do lunch" someday. I wish you still lived in Mqt so I could pop over and give you a hug now and then. Peace be with all of you."
"Dear Mary and Marv, We know how special your brother was to you and your family. So sorry to hear of his passing. May God bless you all during this time. We miss you out here in the Pacific Northwest. Let me know how you are. Love, Norma and Pete"
"My wife reads the Mining Journal on the Web and she told me about the passing of Gene La Rock. She asked me if I knew him. Yes, I said, I graduated with brother, Ed. I spent many enjoyable hours at the La Rock household in Ishpeming - mostly on the third floor, and sometimes at the supper table. The La Rock family always treated me well and I enjoyed their company. Anyway, my condolences to Gene's family. I will keep you in my prayers."