JAMES R. "JIM" DOMPIER

James R. “Jim” Dompier, age 74, of Baraga, MI, passed away at his son’s home in Blaine, Minnesota, surrounded by family on Saturday, January 12, 2013. Jim was born in Baraga on August 25, 1938, the son of the late Wilfred and Selma (Alatalo) Dompier and was a lifelong Baraga resident. He graduated in 1956 from Baraga High School. Jim received his BS from NMU and a Certificate of Philosophy from St. Jerome’s College, Kitchner, Ontario, Canada. On August 15, 1970, Jim married the former Doris (Maki) Duguay at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Baraga. Jim began teaching at St. Francis de Sales, Manistique, Sacred Heart School, L’Anse, and PLES, Baraga before being named L’Anse/Baraga Community School Director. In 1977, Jim joined Michigan State University Extension as a 4-H Youth Agent, retiring in 2002 as Baraga County Extension Director. He was a lifelong member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, serving as a lector, usher, serving at funeral lunches, and often assisted at daily Masses. Jim served the community in a variety of capacities, including as chairman of the Baraga County Board of Commissioners, chairman of the Baraga County Hospital Board, as well as other committee assignments of those boards. He also was a member of the Baraga Area School Board and served on the St. Ann’s Parish board. Jim also was a member of the Bayside Village Nursing Home Board and for the past several years, served as Baraga County Historical Society president. As president of the Historical Society, Jim and the members over saw the construction of the new museum in Baraga and Jim enjoyed doing family research as a project for the museum. He also served as a member of the Baraga County Soil Conservation District, the Baraga County Fair Board, and the St. Vincent de Paul store and conference committees. He was appointed president of the Copper Country District of St. Vincent de Paul and served on the U.P. Diocesan Council. As president of the CC Conference, he assisted in the formation of new conferences in Chassell and Calumet. Jim also was a founding member of the Baraga County Holiday Hope Committee and served as the Grand Marshall along with his wife, Doris, for the Lumberjack celebration. Jim was also recognized as a Kiwanis Person of the year for Baraga County. The Western U.P. Planning Commission recognized Jim with the Orentente Award. Jim was a member of the original Alberta Village Museum Board and served on the Baraga Township Board of Review and its planning and zoning committees. In 2012, Jim and his wife, Doris, were recognized by the Baraga County Fair Board with a plaque for Outstanding Contributions to the Baraga County Fair. Jim’s many hobbies included gardening, for which he was awarded Baraga County Fair Master Gardener three times, doing genealogical research, keeping in contact with friends via the internet, reading local histories, and serving the various needs of the community. Jim is survived by his loving wife Doris, sons Patrick (Diane) Duguay of Blaine, MN, and Paul and Mark of Minneapolis, MN, brothers Jerry (Diane), Douglas (Irene), Wendell (Judy), and sister Mary Jane “Myrt” (Melvin) LaJoye, sisters-in-law Mary Ann, Phyllis, and Bonnie, and two aunts, Mary Ann Keranen and Elizabeth Alatalo. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph, Raymond, Norman, Francis, Richard "Chip", and an infant sister, Sharon. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Baraga with Father John Longbucco, celebrant. A luncheon was held at the church following the Mass. The family greeted friends on Friday, January 18, 2013 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Deacon John Cadeau conducted a St. Vincent de Paul service at the funeral chapel on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Interment will take place in the Baraga Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Jim’s honor to be directed to St. Vincent de Paul or the Baraga County Museum. Envelopes are available at the funeral chapel.

JAMES R. "JIM" DOMPIER

August 25, 1938 - January 19, 2013