Obituary: Alfred Baril

As received from the Pearce Funeral Home:

Alfred “Alfie” Baril, age 79, of Lake Linden, passed away, with family by his side, after a struggle with Parkinson’s, at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium on June 9, 2023.

                He was born on March 18, 1944, a son of Alfred A. and Antoinette (Miller) Baril.  He attended Catholic grade school and graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell in 1963.

                He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a mechanic in Vietnam.  The Army would use helicopters to fly him to remote locations to repair broken equipment.  When he returned, he worked for various construction companies, retiring from Bill Siler Contracting, after over 20 years with that company, as a heavy equipment operator.

                He was married to Mary (Wilks) on June 20, 1975.

                He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, where he was instrumental in organizing “Ernie’s Christmas Party.”  He was a member of Post 90American Legion and the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsman’s club.

                Alfred enjoyed gardening.  He liked hiking and waterfalls, and often served as the local tour guide for relatives.  He loved playing games and four-wheeling with his grandchildren.  He enjoyed reading, travelling with the motorhome for 23 years, and helping out with his friends and neighbors.

                He was preceded in death by: his parents, a sister-Peggy, and brother-Russell.

                He is survived by: his wife-Mary; son-James Brohard; 2 daughters-Dianne Brohard of Lake Linden and Melanie (Pieter) Nieuwenhuis of Lake Linden; son-Mark Gagnon; 5 grandchildren-Dylan, Tori, Shaina, Samuel, and Benjamin; 2 great-grandchildren-Henry and Mae; siblings-Joel Baril, Terrence (Shirley) Baril, David Baril, Steven Baril, Gordon Baril, Ellen (Peter) Tilleman, and Annie (Daniel) Boone; special neighbor-Gerry Dion along with numerous other friends and neighbors; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

                 The visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Saint Joseph Church in Lake Linden with Fr. Raju Jose to officiate.  Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.

                In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint Joseph Church Restoration Fund.

                Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com