"Our deepest sympathy to Louise and family. It was a pleasure to have known Bob and we will remember with fondness all the special times we shared with the Marquette Male Chorus. We will also remember his cheerful personality and the wonderful smile he had for all he met. He will be sadly missed. We are sorry we are unable to attend Bob's service as we are out of town. Fondly, Arlene & Went Slitor"
In loving memory of
Robert H. Jean
June 11, 1937 - November 21, 2003
Robert H. Jean, 66, of 1204 Gray Street, Marquette, died unexpectedly at Marquette General Hospital Friday morning.
Mr. Jean was born on June 11, 1937 in Marquette to the late Harvard A. and Mercedes (Kelly) Jean and was a lifelong area resident. He was a graduate of Bishop Baraga High School class of 1955 and Notre Dame University class of 1959. He also served his country in the Army National Guard.
Bob formerly owned and operated Jeans Jewelry in Marquette from 1959 through 1988, a business that had been in the family for three generations. He was later employed as a real estate agent with Look Realty in Marquette and also for MFC First National Bank retiring in 1998.
He was a member of St. Peter Cathedral and was a charter member of its parish council. He was also a member of Monsignor Nolan B. McKevitt Council 689 Knights of Columbus. Bob was a former member of the Rotary Club of Marquette where he had attained senior active status and was also a former member of the Marquette Elks Lodge as well as the Marquette Male Chorus.
He was an active participant and inspired many people in the Cardiac Rehab program at Marquette General Hospital where he also provided counsel and support to prospective amputees.
In his free time, Bob delivered pasties on a monthly basis for St. Christophers Parish; he enjoyed golfing, spending time in the woods and reading many good books.
He is survived by his beloved wife, the former Louise Sweeney whom he married on January 19, 1963 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sault Ste Marie Ontario; three daughters, Kathy Jean and Debbie Jean, both of Marquette and Diane (Scott) Jean Schubert of Forest Hill, MD. He was Papa to Zachary Robert and Kendall Jean Schubert. Also surviving are a brother, Jerome (Carole) Jean of Sault Ste. Marie, MI as well as several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents was an infant brother, David.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home where members of the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 p.m. and a parish prayer service will be conducted at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Msgr. Louis C. Cappo officiating. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tony DePetro, Joe McCarthy, Chic Koski, John Vandezande, Gary McMinn and Rich Johnson. Honorary bearers will be Jim DeMarinis, Ray Sweeney, Bob Anderson, Neal Green, Norris Pyette, Werner Peterson, George Bourdage and Paul Fleury.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
Tributes
"John and I were so sorry to hear about Robert's death. John and I grew up in Maquette and knew Robert for many years. We graduated with Jerry and Carol and offer both Robert' family and Carol and Jerry our sympathy. Nancy Lee"
"Dear Louise, We are so sorry to hear about Bob. We are also sorry that we are not in Marquette at this time to pay our last respects. I will always remember Bob as a warm, friendly, kind, and sincere person. I will never forget how back in high school, he and his friends had this little saying...."Coof, Coof" (Whatever that meant!) Bob graduated with my brother Don, who passed away five years ago. As underclassmen, we all looked up to Bob's class as they were good examples for us. My memories of attending high school with Bob are pleasant ones. I talked with him last at Econo a short time ago. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Dorothy (Fezzey) and Donald Bennett"
"Family of Robert "Bob" Jean I (Pat Gunning's brother) was sorry to read the news of Bob passing away. He was such a nice man and gentleman. I'll remember him in my prayers. God Bless you all."
"I am a close friend of Debbie Jean's and she always spoke so highly of her father. From everything I have been told or heard he was a superlative father and member of the community. My thoughts are with his family."
"My sincerest sympathies go out to the Jean family. Although we were not related Bob and his wife were referred to as Uncle and Aunt thoughout my childhood. Although the years have passed I still have fond memories."
"Dear Louise and family, We were saddened to hear about Bob's death. Bob hired me for my first job at Jean's Jewerly and I have been working ever since. He instilled good work ethics in his employees. I enjoyed those years working with him. Because of him I was able to attend college and still work part-time helping to pay all those bills. He was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Our prayers are with you. Sincerely, Gary and Kathy(Baker)Miron"
"Dear Aunt Loise and family. I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Bob, beloved husband and father. As Believers in Jesus we have the hope that we will one day meet again! May you find comfort in knowing this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dorothy (Hillier) and Bridget Vogel"
"I was so sorry to hear about Bob. I always looked for him first at every get together, because I was always comfortable talking to him. He always made me feel like a part of the group. I'm sorry I couldn't get to the visitation or funeral as I was home sick with Pneumonia. You have my deepest sympathy."
"LOUISE AND FAMILY...I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR SUDDEN LOSS. BOBBY WAS A WONDERFUL MAN..AND SO CARING. I WAS SO GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SEE AND HUG HIM AT MY MOTHERS FUNERAL IN OCT. HE WAS SO KIND TO COME AND GIVE US ALL SUPPORT.HE WILL DEFINITLY BE MISSED BY ALL AND MANY, GOD BE WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS SORROWFUL TIME.SO SORRY I CAN'T BE THERE AT THIS TIME. LOVE TO ALL TRISHA"
"DEAR LOUISE & FAMILY, WE ARE SO SORRY AND SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT BOB. PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. HE WAS SUCH A SWEET,HAPPY PERSON. HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE. ONLY TIME AND MEMORIES WILL MAKE THE HURT LESS PAINFUL. HUGS & PRAYERS, LOVE PAM & JOE"
"It was many years ago, but I was a grade school (St. Michael's) classmate with "Bobby". We may have aged, but I will always remember him with his grade school name."
"I remember Bob, not only from high school, but as the finest jeweler in Marquette. My deepest sympathy to his family. Loving memories keep our loved ones alive in our hearts after they have gone home to the Lord. Knowing Bob, I am sure all you have many memories that will keep Bob alive in your hearts. Again, my deepest sympathy to all of you in his passing from this life to eternal happiness."
"Dear Ms. Jean: I was so very sorry to read in the paper of Bob's passing. I got to know Bob for the first time this past summer at Marrquette General's Cardiac Reahab. The first day I was at Rehape, Bob walked up to me smiling as usual, extended his hand, and said, "Hi - I'm Bob Jean.". We visited and againg each day after that. Usually it was nothing extremely important. I told him I had just been married and he asked about my wife and then told me many things about you and your marriage. He told me about your winter trips down South. We spoke of your kids and their kids. What they did, what they liked, etc. We spent many hours on the treadmill just visiting and laughing. We spoke of music and his love of singing. He told me about living in the Soo a many years ago ago and of his brother, the store you both owned and of the fun (and not so fun) things about owning a business. I was so amazed that someone who had lost part of his leg could be so upbeat about life. He truly was inspiring. Although I only knew Bob for a very short time, I truly believe I lost a good "long time" friend. I am very deeply saddened by his passing. I hope you and your family would accept my wife, Vera, and my deepest sympthay in Bob's passing. I know he was a great man and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Paul Blewett"
"With sincere sympathy to the Jean family. You were always so much fun, dear Bobby. Sincerely, Emma Jean Robinson"
"I love you Aunt Louise , Kathy ,Diane , Debbie........."
"Bob, we will miss you dearly but thanks for all the good times we had together.Our lives will go on, but will never be the same without you. Love you."
"Louise, It is an honor to know you and Bob. To be counted among your friends. To see the love you both gave returned by so many people at the funeral home and mass. The phrase you "reap what you sow" was visible these past few days. May God bless you, Kathy, Debbie and Diane in the hours, days, months and years ahead. We are pleased to have known such a gentle man, who reached out to others with his caring smile, and a hug. Love, Mary & Dick Bradley"
"Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family, sorry we didnt get to the funeral home. Our hearts are with you."
"I was fortunate to have known Bob Jean via my brother-in-law and his brother, Jerry. He was always a friendly, gentle and genuinely kind man. I remember him playing basketball for Baraga High, at work in his father's store and when I visited him in June 2001. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone, and conversely I never heard anyone say anything negative about Robert. In a small town, that's an accomplishment. Robert, I will always remember you for the gentle man that you were and will keep you in my prayers. You will be greatly missed. Richard Peterson"
"I was saddened to hear of Bob's passing away. I had just thought during the past week, that the next time I visited Marquette, I would pay Bob a visit. He and I spent many wonderful years in the Marquette Male Chorus. I especially enjoyed our inpersonations playing Laurel & Hardy. Bob had a wonderful disposition and thoroughly enjoyed people. He was truely a wonderful person. Following is a verse by Ellen Brenneman that I believe could have been written about Bob. Don't think of him as gone away -- his journey's just begun; life holds so many facets-- this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know, today, how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched-- for nothing loved is ever lost-- and he was loved so much."
"Please know that my heart goes out to all of you. You are in my prayers and thoughts. God bless you, and keep you strong through your time of need."
"LOUISE AND FAMILY I WAS VERY SADDENED WITH THE NEWS OF BOBBY. A GREAT LOSS FOR EVERYONE!ALWAYS THE HAPPY,FRIENDLY,GREAT PERSON! A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES FROM TIMES IN THE "GUARD" AND EVERY TIME WE MET IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WITH YOU!"
"Bob was a wonderful friend for many years. He will be missed by his friends, and especially by me."
"Dear Louise & Girls Bob will always be in our best & happiest memories. I have so many pictures of all of us at so many gatherings and parties, and in everyone, we were all laughing and having fun. He will be greatly missed. Marilyn and I each still have 1/3 of a one dollar bill that we split up one day long ago. So if you find 1/3 of a dollar bill, we have the other 2/3. It was a standing joke, we would each pull out our 1/3 and have a drink. In fact, Bob was looking for his 1/3 at Kathy's birthday party in Oct. It was driving him nuts cause he couldn't find it. Anyway, lots of good times. Love to you all...... Sharon & Jim"
"I worked with Mr Jean in cardiac rehab. The first day I met him he didn't have the heart to correct me after calling him Mr. Green, I knew he was special. All the patients at rehab loved Bob. Everybody knew when Bob missed a day because everybody asked "where's Bob?". The atmosphere just wasn't the same without him. He will be dearly missed by all. God's Peace Danielle"
"I would like to express my condolences. I have fond memories of playing together as children when the Jeans lived on Front street. Then there are the memories of Middle Island too."