Lucien Perron

MERCER, Wis. - Lucien Perron, 92, of Mercer, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, after battling Alzheimer's at the New Perspective Senior Living in Superior, where he had been residing near his daughter, Michele, in the Memory Care Unit.

Lucien was born May 23, 1931, to Romeo and Edy Perron in Chambord, Quebec, Canada, the 12th of 15 children. Lucien grew up on the farm where he learned a strong work ethic. He made his way as a young man to Ottawa, Canada, to learn English and went to work bookkeeping at lumber camps in the winter seasons in Northern Ontario.

His summers were spent working at a hotel in Quebec where he met his wife, Huguette Bernard. They married in 1956 and had celebrated 67 years of marriage this past year.

They made their home in Ontario where he became involved in running plywood plants. He emigrated with his family in 1969 to Bessemer, Michigan, helping build and run Ironwood Products for many years. He then went on to start his own business, Midwest Timber, moving to Mercer where they lived on Echo Lake for more than 40 years, managing debarkers, trucking and a sawmill in Two Harbors, Minnesota. He was an honest and fair employer, and mentored many of those who worked for and with him.

Lucien also enjoyed 20 years as a bank director for First National Bank of Ironwood, Michigan.

He especially loved sitting by Echo Lake and his home on the water. He was a wonderful encouraging father and always placed his family foremost in his mind.

He also loved his grandchildren and was blessed to become a great-grandparent, as well.

After his retirement he kept very busy with the Mercer Sanitary District overseeing a large expansion and the Mercer Historical Society. He was key in several restoration projects including a Conestoga wagon and was often seen building and painting on the grounds.

Lucien was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Stephanie Ahnen. He is survived by his wife, Huguette, Mercer; and son, Daniel (Sandy), Freeport, Florida; daughters, Andree (Richard) Ahnen, Iron Mountain, Michigan, and Michele Perron, Superior; seven grandchildren, Dominic, Pascal, Nicolas, Christopher (Holly), Eric (Kayla), Demi and Reo; and six great-grandchildren, Lila, Niko, Abraham, Alexander, Arthur and Kyden.

He will be dearly missed.

A celebration of life service will be held later in the spring.

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