Gordon M. 'Gordy' Koski

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Gordon M. "Gordy" Koski, 91, a longtime resident of Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Gordy was born on Nov. 21, 1930, in Copper City, to Micheal and Helmi (Haltunen) Jukuri. He was then adopted at a young age to Mattlius and Mae (Cobb) Koski of Ewen.

Gordy joined the U.S. Naval Reserves serving from 1948 to 1952, and then the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He was an active member of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5.

On June 13, 1959, Gordy married Rosemarie Kasper at St Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, Wisconsin.

He was a mechanic by trade. Gordy worked for Goodwin's Volkswagen Garage, Bert's Arco Gas Station, Iron Wood Products and White Pine Copper Company, from which he retired in 1992. In his retirement years, he drove the charter bus runs for the White Pine Transit. If you couldn't find Gordy fixing something in the garage, you surely could catch him watching his favorite Western or wartime series. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren near and far. He was a beaming example of sisu. He had quite a sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Gordy is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rosemarie; two daughters, Catherine (John) Reece, Senoia, Georgia, and Veronica (Jeff) Richards, Ironwood; a son, Gordon Jr .; three grandchildren, Katarina (Ben) Wojcik, Plum City Wisconsin, Alena Reece, Senoia, and Anakin Koski, Wakefield; a great-granddaughter, Maci Marie Lassiter, Senoia, who shares the same birthday as her great-grandpa; two brothers-in-law, Lester Goodwin and David Fitzgerald; and three sisters-in-law, Pauline Haanpaa, Margaret Gingery and Andrea Kasper. He was a fun-loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both his birth and adoptive parents; two brothers, Kenneth Jukuri and Albert Koski; three sisters, Ruth Fitzgerald, Alice Goodwin and Donna Pittsley; his two favorite Jack Russell terriers, Boogie Bear and Baby G .; and numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service with military honors and interment will take place at the Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township, in early summer.

A huge thank you to Regional Hospice for their very caring staff; and to Margaret Gingery, Nikki Cooley, Janice Koski and Cheryl Ademino.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.