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LeRoy celebrates 100th birthday

LEO LEROY RECENTLY marked his 100th birthday at a special celebration at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Kingsford. From left are daughter-in-law Reylene LeRoy, daughter Gloria Fugere, daughter Mary Sgrecci, son Leo LeRoy and daughter Suzanne Matiash.

KINGSFORD — Leo R. LeRoy of Kingsford recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He was honored with a party at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Kingsford, with guests from the local area, Wisconsin, lower Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky and Florida. He also was treated to a special night out at Pizza Oven in Kingsford on his birthday.

He was born Feb. 7, 1920, in Niagara, Wis., to Leo E. and Mary Louise (DuFresne) LeRoy. He joined a sister, Vivienne (Gregory) LeRoy, who passed away one month short of her 100th birthday. Over the years, the family resided in Niagara; Two Rivers, Wis.; and Kingsford.

He fondly remembers visiting with an aunt and uncle, who owned a dry cleaners in Ishpeming when he was growing up.

“I attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in Kingsford, which now has been turned into a church,” LeRoy said.

After a long-time illness, his mother died when he was only 14. His sister soon got married and left home.

ONE HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD Leo R. LeRoy credits his longevity to a love of chocolate.

LeRoy began tending bar at 16, while he was attending Kingsford High School. He graduated with the Class of 1938.

He met his wife-to-be, Eileen Gothe, while at KHS. They were married on Dec. 25, 1939, at his parent’s home on Sterling Street in Kingsford.

For many years, the couple spent a lot of time at the rustic camp on Bush Lake Road and camping at Rivers Bend Campground.

“We also enjoyed taking many road trips together,” LeRoy said.

They celebrated 69 years of marriage before she died on Nov. 25, 2007.

The couple had five children, Mary (David) Sgrecci, Gary (Reylene) LeRoy, Leo (Linda) LeRoy, Suzanne (Peter) Matiash, and Gloria (Robert) Fugere. His son, Gary, died Feb. 8, 2016.

He has 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

LeRoy was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, while having three young children at home. He served in the Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945.

He has many memories of his time in the service. One story he tells of how it took 11 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. “It was so cold and choppy, causing many men to get sick on the ship,” he said.

He was able to see parts of France, England and Germany.

LeRoy was wounded and spent two months in a hospital in England.

He currently has plans to go on the U.P. Honor Flight with his granddaughter, Michelle Geyer of Gladstone, on their next visit to Washington D.C.

LeRoy retired from the Niagara Paper Mill after 39 1/2 years with the company.

He loved hunting, fishing, music and reading, as well as being a talented artist, which included wood carving.

“He could fix anything,” said his daughter, Mary Sgrecci. “He was always tinkering.”

LeRoy also loved attending and listening to Kingsford High School sporting events, especially football. In his earlier years, he volunteered as a Little League coach.

Sgrecci adds he had a love for Volkswagons and the little dachshund, Greta.

LeRoy and his wife took in many foster children over the years. “I still have contact with many of them today,” he said.

At age 100, LeRoy still has a very keen mind. An interesting family story he tells is how his great-grandfather, Noah DuFresne of Niagara, served in the Civil War and was said to have shaken hands with Abraham Lincoln.

“I still have his discharge papers,” he said.

Growing up in the Depression, LeRoy has witnessed many changes. “One that particularly fascinates me is how you can look up anyone or anything on those phones,” he said. “I can’t get over how you can press a few buttons and you have what you are looking for.”

When asked about his longevity, he credits his love of chocolate.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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