Obituaries

George ‘Skip’ Duhamel

Died July 9, 2014

PESHAWBESTOWN — George “Skip” Arthur Duhamel, 53, of Peshawbestown, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at McLaren Hospital.

Skip was born on May 21, 1961, in Jackson, the son of Arthur and Babette (Patton) Duhamel. On April 18, 2014, in Galveston, Texas, he married Kathryn Nix, who survives.

Skip worked hard his entire life, followed in his dad’s footsteps and started fishing by the age of 11.

He belonged to the Pipefitters Union Local 798 as a wielder.

Skip was very instrumental in Tribal development, opening up unused fishing territories for the GTB. He held the second fishing license out of the GTB with his dad holding the first license.

For 20 years he was very active in the conservation of Tribal fishing and many articles were written about Skip and his father concerning their fishing for the GTB. Skip was also a world class totem carver and jewelry maker. Skip maintained a second home on Beaver Island and was active in many island programs there as well.

In addition to his wife, Skip is survived by his children, Desire Duhamel, of Peshawbestown, Jessica Kochin, of Dexter, and Cameron and Alex Shocko, of Peshawbestown; mother, Babs Duhamel, of Peshawbestown; granddaughter, Lilly Gmoser-Duhamel; siblings, Sandra L. Smith, of Allen, Richard Everhart, of Suttons Bay, Armand Sherman, of Holland, and Mark Sherman, of Lansing; and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Darlene Sherman.

Visitation will be held today, July 11, from 4 to 10 p.m., as well as on Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to the start of the 1 p.m. service, at the Strongheart Center in Peshawbestown. A luncheon will follow. Burial will take place at a later date in the Garden Island Indian Cemetery.

Please share memories with Skip’s family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.