Virgil La Joice

Virgil LaJoice was always a man of priorities. He was the kind of man who left school early to fight in World War II, and the kind who turned down an offer from the Boston Celtics to start a family. His catchphrase was always “that’s immaterial,” which was so perfect for him. More than anything, Virgil was a beloved family man, the only part that truly mattered to him.

Virgil’s story began on a cold winter day in 1925 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Those were good times in this country, the heyday of the Roaring 20s, when Americans enjoyed a strong economy — if not a strong drink — in the Prohibition era. On December 30, 1925, Antoine and Mabel (Fisher) LaJoice celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Virgil.

Virgil was the third of six children in the family’s Sault Ste. Marie home, where his father worked as a cook on a tugboat, feeding the crew that helped build the Soo Locks. Virgil grew up proud of his heritage, a blend of French Canadian and Chippewa Native American Indian.

Virgil was an excellent athlete as a boy, excelling at basketball, and was a star at St. Mary’s High School. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, however, Virgil couldn’t wait to join the fight the next year, so he left school midway through his senior year and enlisted in the Navy.

Virgil proudly served his country in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, earning the rank of Signalman Third Class, aboard the LST-951 ship, which delivered tanks to the shores of Okinawa in the war. He also earned his GED and played his share of basketball in the Navy, and attracted the attention of a new basketball team called the Boston Celtics, who gave him a tryout after the war ended.

The Celtics wanted him, but not as bad as Virgil wanted a family. So he turned down the Celtics, and decided to marry his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Schad, instead. The happy young couple was married on October 12, 1946, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rudyard, Michigan.

The newlyweds settled in Sault Ste. Marie, and didn’t waste time starting their family, either. They were blessed with seven wonderful children in the coming years, Annette, Michael, Dennis, Paulette, Bernadette, Patrick, and Kayette.

Virgil provided for his large family as a business owner. He first owned a combination Pioneer Motel, gas station and grocery store in Kinross, and later he owned a service station in Sault Ste. Marie, while his wife later operated a Kilwin’s Candy Store in the area. Being a business owner was an often difficult job, with long hours, but as Virgil always said “that’s immaterial.” The business provided for his family, and that was all that mattered.

Of course, Virgil never had trouble keeping busy. He was a very active and much-beloved member of the Sault Ste. Marie community. He taught small engine and auto repair at the high school, coached the girls’ basketball team, served as the sports announcer on the radio for WSOO, sang in the Mary Wood Chorus, and was the former president of the Sault Ste. Marie Country Club, too (Virgil was a great golfer)! If all that weren’t enough, he also was passionate about square dancing, and was a caller and teacher of the dance. He was even chosen to be a part of the Mackinac Bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1957, by calling the square dancing during the celebration.

Virgil also served as the “unofficial” chauffer at the Kinross Airport, as the shuttle to the various stars that came through the area. Over the years he drove for the likes of Johnny Cash, Tiny from the Ink Spots, The Lettermen, Boots Randolph and even then-Senator Gerald R. Ford!

Virgil was beloved by all he knew or met, stars and common folk alike. He was a very charismatic, gregarious man, who enjoyed life and the company of others. Virgil was a fearless man, a real risk-taker, who always lived life with great gusto, and was fun to be around. He enjoyed a good party, and a few vodka martinis, too! Much of Virgil’s social circle consisted of his close friends at the Knights of Columbus, where he was a devoted, longtime member for 43 years.

Virgil and Kathleen packed up and left the Upper Peninsula in 1981, when he took a job as a Certified Aerospace Heat Treater at National Water Lift in Kalamazoo. He remained active in the Knights of Columbus there too. He had attained the rank of Master of the Fourth Degree and he proudly continued with Fourth Degree functions in his new locale.

Virgil retired in 1991, anxious to spend more time with his growing family, which now included his grandchildren. Virgil loved kids, and seeing his grandkids’ faces always brightened his day.

Sadly, Kathleen died on January 20, 1995, after 49 years of wonderful marriage. Virgil took her loss very hard, and even went back to work from 1995-97 to occupy his time.

His son Michael suggested he call Mary Koenig, a widow whose husband Virgil had Knighted. Virgil did, they started dinner dating, and a romance bloomed. They were married on October 20, 2001, at St. Monica Catholic Church.

The newlyweds enjoyed a busy social calendar, mostly filled with Knights of Columbus functions and trips to various places, like Branson, Missouri. They also went to Virgil’s high school reunions, which he seldom missed.

Virgil battled some health problems in recent years, and his beloved Mary lovingly cared for him. He was diagnosed with cancer, and after a brave struggle, he sadly died on a hot, sunny Saturday, July 7, 2007, at his home. He was 81.

Virgil was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life of charity, character and charisma, of principle and priorities. He always put his beloved family first, as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Everything else was “immaterial,” as he always said. His words, his deeds, and his love, live on in all who knew him today.

Learn more about Virgil view his life story film and visit with his family and friends Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler 6080 Stadium Dr Kalamazoo 375-2900 where a prayer service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10:30 AM at St. Monica Catholic Church. Food and fellowship will immediately follow in the parish hall. Interment Fr. Custer National Cemetery. Virgil was preceded in death by his first wife Kathleen in 1995 and his sister Bernice Gray. Members of his family include his wife Mary; seven children, Annette (John) Kemler of Bonita Springs, FL, Michael (Evelyn) LaJoice of Portage, Dennis (Theresa) LaJoice of Allegan, Paulette (Ken)Meyle of Three Rivers, MI, Bernadette (Randy) Wagonmaker of Kalamazoo, Patrick LaJoice of Portage, and Kayette (David) Dudd of Portage; eight grandchildren, Christopher Kemler, Michael (Holli) LaJoice, Shelly (Clint) Hofacre, Marie (David) Brown, Joseph and Jillian LaJoice, Spencer, Amanda and Lyndsay Dudd; three step-grandchildren; Charity Wagonmaker, Juli Peterson and Jon Meyle; four great-grandchildren; Alexus, Cadence, Madilyn and Morgan; seven step-great-grandchildren; Kris, Haven, Price, Taylor, Jake, Andrew and Paisley; two sisters; Louise Benson and June (Frank) Porcaro of Sault St. Marie, MI; two brothers; Ronald (Orzelie) LaJoice of Trout Lake, MI and James (Martha) English of Caledonia, MI; two step-children; Joanne (Gary) Brown of Portage and Kathleen (Eric) VanGoeye of Plainwell; six step-grandchildren; Tyler, Stuart, Melina, Caleb, Cameron and Cole. Please visit Virgil’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or photo, sign the online guest book or make a memorial donation to Hospice of SW Michigan or the West Michigan Cancer Center.