As received from the Ryan Funeral Home:
Our beloved elder, Eugene A. Longpre, 89, of Mohawk, MI, passed away at his home on January 29, 2025, to reunite with his loving wife and parents.
Eugene was born on February 17, 1935, in Detroit, MI, to Maybelle (Downey) and Arthur Longpre. The family moved back to Albion Location in Calumet, MI, when he was young. By the age of three, Eugene was already known for his signature black tam, a look he carried throughout his life. His passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles began in his teenage years, inspired by his Dad. His Mom would often join him for rides, apron and all, whenever she heard the roar of his bike out front. Eugene and his brothers, Jr and Fritz, along with their Dad made many trips out to Montreal River to camp and fish together.
At 17, Eugene joined the US Navy Reserve in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954. Shortly after, he enlisted in the US Army, where he served with the 570th Transportation Company in France as a Tractor Scraper Operator pushing LCMs and LCUs out into the water.
After his military service, Eugene moved to Kenosha, WI, and worked for American Motors for over a decade. He later returned to the Upper Peninsula, settling in Ontonagon, where he worked underground at White Pine. It was in Ontonagon that he met and married his Baby Doll and love of his life, Margaret “Marge” Alft. Together, they enjoyed a life full of camping, hunting, fishing, traveling, and riding their Harley. They bought a farm in Mass City and eventually a house in town. Eugene worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission until his retirement in the 1990s, with a special focus on the maintenance of Military Hill.
Eugene, Marge, his youngest brother Fritz, and Fritz’s wife Carol built a house together in Lac la Belle, where they lived for nine years before moving to neighboring properties in Mohawk. Eugene and Fritz shared a remarkably close bond, creating many cherished memories on their trips to Isle Royale, where they enjoyed fishing and camping together.
Eugene is survived by his loving family: his brother Fritz and sister-in-law Carol Longpre, along with their children Doug (Wendy), Jackie, and Amy (Doug) Longpre-Harrer. He was adored by his great nieces and nephews: Aidan and Katie, Sydney and Nathan, Sadie and Maddie. He is also survived by his beloved stepdaughter, Arla Mihalow, and her children Brian Joki, Jennifer Joki, and Natasha (William) Provo, along with their children and grandchild. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Marty (Jr) Longpre and their children Michelle (Scott) Pastor and Tammy Longpre, and their families.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marge and her children Robert (Bucko) Keranen and Della Watkins, his parents Maybelle and Arthur, his brother Junior, and his adored dogs Pudgie and Sweetie.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to his Aspirus Home Care & Hospice team: Corinna, Stephanie, Rebecca, Rachelle, Becky, Lexi, Katie, Lindy and Roger, for enabling him to remain in his home.
At Eugene’s request, there will be no services.
To our Brother and Uncle, “gukadee goo, push em up Tony, schwing high and when I see you again, I will tell you the rest of the story…..”
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