Laker Alumni Association
Golf Fund Raiser
Winners of the Laker Alumni/Athletic Booster 4 Person Scramble event
This year's fundraiser was held on Saturday May 21, 2011 at Century Oaks Golf Course in Elkton
Lakers honor Fran LePage with naming of golf trophy
Winning team of
fundraising
golf event will receive ‘The
Fran LePage Memorial Trophy’
By
MIKE BOGAN
Tribune News/Sports Editor
Published:
PIGEON — Fran LePage never sought the spotlight.
But that doesn’t mean he didn’t deserve it.
A teacher and coach in the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port school system for nearly 40
years, LePage passed away April 6 at the age of 87.
“He was a very humble man and didn't like much fuss made over him,” said his
son, Mike LePage. “My dad was a very giving person. He was the ultimate family
man who always put everyone in front of himself.”
Fran was born April 26, 1923, in Houghton, to the late Francis and Anna (Michetti) LePage.
After graduation from Houghton High School in 1941, he was employed at the Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit until he was inducted into the military. Fran was in the Army Air Corps during World War II, assigned to Allied Supreme Headquarters, 8th Air Force, as a firefighter from 1943-45, with duty in England, France and Germany.
Upon returning from Europe, Fran enrolled at Northern Michigan University and received a degree in education and played hockey for the Marquette Sentinels.
Fran and his wife, Bette, moved to Huron County in 1950 and lived in Bay Port, Pigeon and Elkton. Fran taught social studies, U.S. history, American government, economics and physical education. He also taught driver’s education in several Thumb districts.
“His life work was helping people and his passion was teaching, coaching and mentoring kids,” Mike LePage said. “He believed deeply in giving back to his community, always lending a hand to anyone who needed it.”
All six of his children graduated from Lakers, and many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have attended school in the Laker district. His ultimate honor was being selected to be the Grand Marshal of the Laker 50th Celebration Parade in 2009, Mike LePage said.
Along with teaching, Fran coached football, basketball, golf, track, volleyball and wrestling in the Laker district for 39 years.
Mike LePage said that his dad was a very patient coach, except for one aspect of the sports world.
“He always saw the best in everyone — everyone but referees,” Mike LePage joked. “Having coached for all those years, he never had much tolerance for bad referees. I asked him one time that if at any time in his career were referees better at any particular time than at another? He smiled and said, ‘I've never seen a good one yet.’”
Fran also was notorious for his golfing attire.
“Anyone who knew my dad well knew that he always wore wing tip shoes and had a shirt and tie on,” Mike LePage said. “Sometimes, he would be hustling to get from track practice or after school driver’s training to his golf league. Many times, he would show up at the last minute on the first tee sporting his wing tips — and still wearing his tie. Many times he played all nine holes with his tie on.”
The athletic boosters and alumni association are hosting the benefit golf outing on Saturday, May 21 at Century Oaks Golf Course.
Proceeds from the four-person 18-hole scramble go toward the Laker Athletic Boosters, the Tom Beer Scholarship Fund and the Laker Alumni Scholarship Fund.
The $60 entry fee for the 10 a.m. start includes golf, cart, food, prizes and donation.
Teams can have only one player with a handicap of 8 or less, with a team minimum of at least 45.
Teams can include all men, all women, or a combination.
For an entry form or more information, call (989) 453-3113, or email at mike.lepage@thumbnational.com.
