Obituary: Kenneth Arthur Gervais

Bootjack: Captain Kenneth Arthur Gervais – US Navy Retired; served with pride for 32 years in the United States Navy, was embraced by the arms of God in Bootjack Michigan on August 14^th, 2019.

Ken was born on May 26^th, 1943 in Lake Linden Michigan, the son of Arthur and Bernice (Perreault) Gervais. Ken married Jean Giroux on May 12^th, 1962 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lake Linden.

Ken was a 1961 graduate of Lake Linden-Hubbell High School where he was a standout athlete and scholar. Ken went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Accounting at Michigan Tech, after which he attended Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) for the US Navy in Newport Rhode Island. Achieving the rank of Ensign, Ken decided the US Navy was his calling. Ken served in Great Lakes Illinois and went on to establish the first US Navy recruiting station in Aurora Colorado. During his tenure with the US Navy, Ken earned the Navy Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service and two Master’s degrees; Master of Public Administration and a Master in Education. After Captain Gervais retired in 1992 he went on to teach at risk youth at the Ombudsman Education Center in Libertyville Illinois. He earned the admiration of his peers for his patience, sweet sense of humor, and dedication to the success of the kids he taught. Captain Gervais is the title Ken earned; but dad, husband, papa, brother, uncle, and friend is what he was best known by.  Ken’s passion for family and the love for those around him will be what is remembered most.

He is survived by his wife Jean, brother and best friend Mike (Marie), son Glenn (Lorrie), daughter Launa (Ken), son Bryan (Megan); his 7 grandchildren- Danielle (Peder), Gabrielle (Paul), Christopher, Joseph, Alexander, Ella, and Camden and his 5 great-grandchildren- Liam, Ava, Stella, Elijah, and Mila.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, August the 21^st from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden with a prayer service at 7:45.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on Thursday, August the 22^nd at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lake Linden with Father Corbin Eddy to celebrate.

Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please donate your kindness to the following;

Physical Address

Bootjack Fire and Rescue

49676 Bootjack RD

Lake Linden, MI 49945

Mailing Address

Bootjack Fire and Rescue

47715 Bootjack RD

Lake Linden, MI 49945

Phone: (906) 296-0725

Fax: (906) 296-0900