Ishpeming – Clarence P. "Junior" Ayotte, age 86, lifelong Ishpeming resident, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had been a resident for the past 9 years. Clarence was in the loving presence of his family at the time of his death.

Clarence was born June 23, 1927 in Ishpeming the son of the late Clarence W. and Minnie (Marietti) Ayotte. Junior served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force and received the Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He returned to Ishpeming following his service time and married the former Lois Tislov on Oct. 29, 1949 at the St. Joseph Rectory in Ishpeming. Junior worked for C.C.I. for 40 years, retiring in 1987 as blasting foreman at the Empire Mine, where he had spent the last 25 years of his working career.

Clarence was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a longtime member of the Ishpeming Fire Dept. and had served as Fire Chief for many years. Other activities included the Ishpeming Cribbage League, Ishpeming Pool League, City League Basketball, Ishpeming Fastpitch Softball League, Horseshoe League. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Junior loved to ride his bicycle around town, along with spending time with his son's dog Ollie.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lois Ayotte of Ishpeming, 3 children – Karen (Keith) Palkki of Ishpeming, Kevin (Maureen) Ayotte of Escanaba, and Kathy (Craig)Turman of Grapevine, TX, a sister Bernadine Gleason of Ishpeming, 4 grandchildren -Josh Palkki, Ben Ayotte, Brenna Palkki and Erin Turman, along with a niece Bonnie (Al) Baciak and 2 nephews Brian (Pat) and Bradley Gleason.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:00noon on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Fr. Dan Moll to officiate, with Military Honors to be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Inurnment will take place at the Ishepming Cemetery. The family will greet reatives and friends from 10am – 12noon on Tuesday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming where the Ishpeming Fire Dept. will stand Honor Guard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Bussone, Martin Tasson, Brian Gleason, Bradley Gleason, Keith Palkki, Craig Turman and Matt Reidy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Activities Fund or the Ishpeming Volunteer Fire Dept.

The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers of the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans for their care and compassion shown to Junior and his family over the past 9 years.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .