Ronald Racine

Ron grew up on the family farm until they moved into town in 1947. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in 1960.

After high school, Ron moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked for the Mailing Brothers business for two years. He then moved back to Michigan and worked for the Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation for 37 years.

He began his career with the DNR in Brighton, Michigan at Island Lakes State Park. After two years, he moved to Brighton Recreation Area – State Park. In 1969, he moved back to the Upper Peninsula after being promoted to Twin Lakes State Park as the assistant manager.

Ron then transferred to McLain State Park as assistant manager in 1970 and then promoted to manager. In 1985, after changes in the Parks and Recreation Division of the DNR, he became Park Manager of McLain, Twin Lakes, and Baraga State Parks. He held that position until retirement in 2000. During his time in the Parks Division, he implemented many changes and updates to provide enjoyable experiences for campers and daily patrons.

Ron also served as an officer in the Michigan State Employees Association.

Ron was actively involved in many organizations throughout his life. He was a member of the Quincy-Franklin-Hancock Township Fire Department for 17 years. He served as a trustee on the Hancock Township Board for many years. He coached Little League baseball for three years, having very successful teams for those years.

Ron was very involved with local wildlife groups. He was a past member of both the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsmen’s Club and the Calumet-Keweenaw Sportsmen’s club. He was a lifetime member of Whitetails Unlimited and a member of the U.P. Whitetails Baraga Chapter. He also belonged to the Copper Country Audubon Society. Ron also was a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

He felt it was very important to protect our deer population as he was a deer feeder for over 20 years for a deer herd of about 150 each year.

One of Ron’s favorite activities was fishing with his son Captain Ron (Blue) Racine, as they spent many hours on Portage Lake and Lake Superior. They made 5 flying trips to Canada to fish the inland lakes. Both of them along with his brother Bruce also looked forward to salmon fishing in Lake Michigan. For Ron Sr. and Ron Jr. (Blue), November 15th was one of the biggest holidays. Deer hunting was a very high priority to both as they were very successful on their home property.

Ron was a firearms instructor for 23 years teaching for the NRA, having given instructions to over 2,500 men and women and awarding certificates for Concealed Pistol Licenses.

Ron and Sandra K. Stanley were married in Howell, Michigan, on Sept. 7, 1963. They were married for 61 years. They spent most of their married life in Hancock.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Marie Racine.

He is survived by his wife Sandy along with his three children: daughters Deborah (Robert) Pernaski of Marquette, Bonnie (Walt) Anderson of Lake Linden, and son Ronald Jr. (Jenny) Racine of Calumet; two granddaughters Kelly (Adam) Tall of Negaunee and Casey (Patrick) Stuart of Kalkaska, two great grandchildren Jace Tall and Rilynn Stuart. Ron is survived by three siblings: two brothers and one sister, Bruce (Patricia) Racine of Rockland, Dennis Racine of Lake Linden, and Janet (John) Hanner of Houghton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Ron was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Calumet. A Mass of Christian Burial for Ron will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Calumet. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. in the basement of the church. Burial will take place in the spring at Waasa Cemetery in Hancock Township.