As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Harry Albert Chinnock was one of a kind-an Eagle Scout and a self-made man, a master bargainer, and a loyal friend who lived life entirely on his own terms. Harry passed away on August 9, 2026, at UP Health System -Portage at the age of 71.
Born January 24, 1955, Harry learned early on that working for a boss wasn’t for him. After being laid off from the only job he ever held for someone else, he struck out on his own and never looked back. Harry had a natural talent for business and an unbeatable instinct for a good deal. Whether he was bidding in auction or starting a new venture, he was always wheeling and dealing. Over the years, he ran a towing service, a rental car business, a bar and restaurant, snowmobile and jet ski rentals, window, doors, and trailer sales. One year, he was awarded the best salesman in the Midwest for trailer sales.
Harry wasn’t afraid of hard work. When he decided to build a ball field behind his bar, he jumped behind the controls of his heavy equipment to shape the land himself-with his family on rock-picking duty right alongside him.
He lived for good times. In his younger years, Harry was always on the move, snowmobiling and captaining his 27-foot boat. He was famous for taking late-night runs across the lake to Isle Royale, guiding his boat through the dark with nothing more than a compass. In later years, he slowed the pace just a bit, favoring low-key rides around Chassell while showing off his grandkids in his golf cart, visiting friends and checking on things.
Harry was a genuine social butterfly who made deep, lasting friendships. He loved his family and friends. He didn’t waste energy on just anyone, but if Harry decided you were worth it, he would bend over backwards to help you in a heartbeat.
He would always help family and friends. He surprised his daughter and her family with a car when they moved back from Scotland. He also helped new entrepreneurs start their own businesses e.g. Lacey’s Bistro.
Harry is survived by Amy Rajala, Michael Mathieu, Gaetan & Kerry, Arianne, Lily, Charlotte, and Théo Pontis.
A graveside service for Harry Chinnock and his mother Elma Chinnock will be held on Monday, September 14th at 11 AM in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton, MI with Rev. Bucky Beach officiating. Friends and family are invited to the cemetery and following the service to the Northwinds Adventures, 14603 Love Lake Rd, Atlantic Mine, MI 49905, to celebrate his life. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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