Gary Vernon Deneau, 71, of Sault Ste. Marie, MI passed away on Monday September 26, 2022 at Hospice House of the EUP in Sault Ste. Marie, MI of Pancreatic Cancer. He was born February 24, 1951 in Garden City, MI to Marvin and Helen (Carey) Deneau.
Gary grew up in the Garden City area until he moved to Moran, MI in 74. He worked for R.C. Wheaton Refrigeration Company for more than 20 years. Gary was also employed at The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island for 13 seasons until taken out of work by a dog bite in 2013. He also worked as a groundskeeper and loved to work outside. He enjoyed the numerous compliments of how beautifully he groomed the property by the guests who stayed there. Gary loved Mackinac Island and his bike ride up to The Inn every morning. He also loved to be out in the snow and always keeping his driveway perfectly clear no matter how bad the weather was. Gary would be out in the snow and to some of his friends he was known as Snowman. Gary had a strong faith in God an loved our Lord Jesus Christ. He never wavered through all his suffering.
Gary always enjoyed visiting local parks. He found serenity being by a lake and loved to feed the birds and wildlife. Gary always tried to nurture any injured bird or animal. Once Gary was on his way to work early in the morning when he came across an injured seagull. The bird had been hit on the road and had a broken wing and legs. He picked it up and put it in the cab of the truck and brought it to the veterinarian’s office with a note to please care for it.
Gary will always be remembered as a gentle, humble, and generous soul who found good in everyone.
Gary is survived by his longtime partner, Irene Wheaton; one daughter, Rochelle Servian; one brother, John (Wanda) Deneau of Carleton, MI; two sisters, Carol (Jack) Simmers of Ypsilanti, MI and Kathy (Butch) Cox of Indian River, MI; two sisters in law, Pam (Gordon) Woods of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Amy (Daniel) Christensen of Moran, MI; one brother in law, Tom (Maria) Wheaton of Oregon; four grandchildren, Alex, Bennito, Francisco, and Antonio of Maricopa, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
Gary is predeceased by his parents; five older brothers, Marvin, Bruce, Danny, Chuck, and David Deneau; beloved furry friends, Pickles, Gary’s childhood dog, three other dogs, Sally Sue, Maggie Mae, and Cheech “Chi-Chi”, and a cat named Lucky Kit.
Per Gary’s wishes there will be no services and cremation has taken place. Mr. Deneau’s ashes will be scattered at a later date at the old Wheaton Farm in Moran, MI. The family request’s memorial contributions be made in Gary’s name to Hospice House of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or Soo Animal Shelter, 3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Clark Hovie Galer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
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