As received from the Pearce Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Well known Bootjack resident, George Beveridge Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at his cordwood home on July 24, 2026. He was born September 19, 1941, at home in Lake Linden, to Dora (Owens) and George (“Jud”) Beveridge Sr.
George lived a full and hardworking life. He began his working career at the age of 14 in his father’s bar, Mill View Inn, where he cleaned, worked as a bartender and learned the value of hard work. He graduated in 1959 from Lake Linden Hubbell High School and joined the United States Navy that August. He was honorably discharged in October for medical reasons.
His career continued working in the Chicago area, where he worked as a mechanic. After a few years working in the “concrete jungle” George returned home to Bootjack. He worked as a mechanic at various companies and spent several years logging alongside his father. He owned and operated George’s Excavating from 1971 to 2011 and also owned George’s Parts and Repairs and a Gas Station during the 1970s. George retired from PCI in 2001.
On May 1, 1965, George married the love of his life, Paulette Beaudoin. Together they shared 61 years of marriage. George loved the outdoors and all kinds of wildlife. He even befriended a partridge he named “Pretty Bird,” which visited him for eight years. During the winter months, he fed as many as 30 plus deer each night. He especially enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage and pinochle and taking them for “Gator” rides searching for burls.
In 2005, he began building his dream cordwood house, completing it in 2011. However, with George’s endless ideas and projects involving burls, it was truly never finished. He was a dedicated member of the Bootjack Volunteer Fire Department for 41 years and was also a member of the Lake Linden Sportsman’s Club.
Many people will remember George for his sense of humor and his endless supply of jokes, including his favorite: “If Pete and Re-Pete were sitting on the fence Pete fell off. who would be left”?
George was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Fred Beveridge and James Beveridge. He is survived by: his wife, Paulette, his sister, Dede Beveridge of Proctor, MN; children, Ann (Jeff) Lesperance of Fort Wayne, IN; Joe (Rose) Beveridge of Bootjack, MI; John (Janine) Beveridge of Bootjack, MI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Dylan) Cruickshank, April (Steven) Koski, Elliott Lesperance, Emily (Hunter) Perreault, Jud (Nevin) Beveridge, Clara Lesperance; great-grandchildren Lucas, Leo, Emmie, Daisy, Dutton, Parker and with another one on the way.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the nurses of Keweenaw Home Health and Hospice, as well as the members of Bootjack Fire and Rescue, for their compassionate care and support.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 6, 2026 at the Bootjack Fire Hall. Additional details will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in George’s honor to Lake Linden Sportsman Club (for deer food) or Bootjack Fire and Rescue Foundation.
When saying goodbye, George would always say “See you later, alligator,“ or ask “Are you going to be like a tree and leave?” Though he has left us, he will never be forgotten.
The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be shared at pearcefuneralhome.com
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