Mr. Raphael "Barney" Drouillard's Obituary
St. Clair – Raphael “Barney” Drouillard, age 91, of St. Clair, died January 16, 2015. He was born August 18, 1923 in Clay Township, Michigan, the son of Raphael and Josephine (Genaw) Drouillard. He married Susanna (Bauer) Florence in Marine City on May 13, 1961. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Clair. He served from 1943-1946 in the United States Army during WWII and was stationed on Tinian Island in the Pacific Ocean when the war ended. Mr. Drouillard worked as a tool and die maker and was a former employee of Chris-Craft, Algonac Tool and Die, Chrysler Corporation and General Dynamics, retiring from General Dynamics in 1983.
Mr. Drouillard enjoyed wintering in Florida, fishing and woodworking, making numerous clocks, nativity mangers, furniture and toys for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed many outdoor activities on his 8-acre property including gardening, making maple syrup and growing Christmas trees on a small tree farm.
Surviving are his wife, Susanna; sister, Kay (David) Bryeans; children, Barbara Fults, Kathleen (James) Guyor, and William (Linda) Florence; grandchildren, Mary Beth (Kirk) Kotelman, Matthew (Veronica) Fults, Sarah Fults, Jennifer (Steve) Jowett, Jessica (Phil Porte) Guyor, William (Jamie) Guyor, William Raphael Florence, and Erin Florence Lee; great-grandchildren, Lauren Kotelman, Kieran Fults, Owen and Ethan Jowett, Conor and Liam Guyor; and nephews, David, Danny, Dale, and Dean Bryeans, Joe and Jon Jones, and niece, Judy Ford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Phyllis Jones, brother-in-law, Alvin Jones, and son-in-law, Edward Fults. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Marwood Nursing and Rehab, McLaren Hospice and Holy Cross Catholic Church. Arrangements by Young Funeral Home, China Twp.
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