ELK RAPIDS — Jay Germain, 57, died at his home on Thursday, Feb. 9, in the comforting presence of his wife and two children.
Jay was born on Feb. 12, 1954, in Grand Rapids. It was there that he grew up and attended East Grand Rapids schools.
In 1977 Jay married his "high school sweetheart," Debra Will. A year later, drawn to northern Michigan by the Germain family cottage on Torch Lake, Jay and Deb decided to move to the area where they would go on to raise a beautiful family.
Jay enjoyed traveling and boating, as well as playing golf, but his fondest memories were those of summer days passed on Torch with his family and closest friends.
Jay was a generous and friendly individual and will undoubtedly be remembered for his biting sense of humor, often thick with sarcasm, and a hilarious contempt for all things absurd.
Jay's wife, Deb, lives on, as does his son, Max, Max's wife, Patrycja, and granddaughter, Aniela. Jay's beloved daughter, Sally will also continue to keep his spirit in ample supply of pride. Jay is also survived by his sister, Joyce Johnson and her husband, Tom, of Grand Rapids, and two nephews, one niece and their children.
There will be a celebration of Jay's life on Sunday, Feb. 12 (a date which also nearly served as Jay's 58th birthday), at 2 p.m., at the InsideOut Gallery in Traverse City at 229 Garland St.
Please share memories of Jay on his online guestbook at www.record-eagle.com/obituaries/.
Archive: Saturday
Jay Germain
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- Death Notices: 05/26/2012
- Marjorie Centilli
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Another View: It's time to update state malpractice laws
It's not in Gov. Rick Snyder's health care plan, but medical malpractice tort reforms could help Michigan deal with a nationwide doctor shortage.
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Two hurt in plane crash near Ann Arbor
A husband and wife were critically injured when their single-engine plane crashed in the backyard of an Ann Arbor-area home on Friday, authorities said.
Continued ... -
July 4 to sparkle for years to come
Local supporters saved the threatened patriotic pyrotechnics last year. Now, the group launched the nonprofit Traverse City Boom Boom Club to plan and pay for an annual Independence Day show.
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TC takes home opener over Windy City
Light-hitting Traverse City outfielder Brian Heere hit the first home run of the season in Wuerfel Park, helping the Beach Bums to a home opener victory over Windy City. “I don’t think anybody would have bet on me getting the first one out,” Heere said. “It was a line drive and it just kept carrying.”
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Schools are key to fighting obesity
Fighting obesity will require changes everywhere Americans live, work, play and learn, says a major new report that outlines dozens of options — from building more walkable neighborhoods to zoning limits on fast-food restaurants to selling healthier snacks in sports arenas.
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Small dairies fading away
The MacLaren brothers are third-generation dairy farmers, but they will likely be the last in their family. After working all their lives on the hillside farm in Vermont that their grandfather bought in 1939, they decided to call it quits, auctioning off their roughly 200 cows and equipment.
Continued ... - Harlan S. Hosler
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Jack Lessenberry: Keeping the underdog streak alive
When the last census confirmed that Michigan would lose yet another seat in Congress — the fifth since 1980 — the Legislature went to work to make sure a Democrat would be the odd man out.
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Davis takes aim at record
The longest-standing Bayshore record could be in jeopardy this morning. Jeff Sharp set the men’s marathon record of 2 hours, 17 minutes, 40 seconds in 1983. That time still stands. Among those taking aim at that mark today: Jesse Davis, who ran a 2:18:47 in the 2011 Houston Marathon.
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Agriculture forum: A big year for local food in schools
With asparagus spears and rhubarb stalks poking up through the ground, many schools throughout northwest Lower Michigan are capping off a big year of celebrating and serving locally grown food.
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GT Road Commission won't renew Gillis' contract
Mary Gillis' bosses refused to renew her contract, so the Grand Traverse County Road Commission's manager has to figure out her next move.
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Ask Evelyn: Even toddlers can learn good manners
My son is 2 and he prefers the comfort of being held by an adult or being the center of attention. That's been his life so far, but I am a single mom and sometimes mom just has to get things done.
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Suttons Bay speller heads toward D.C.
Jack Pasche isn't afraid to ask questions. The Suttons Bay Public Schools seventh-grader is headed to Washington, D.C., this week to participate in the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, thanks in large part to his trademark style: ask, stall, then spell.
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Body and Soul In Brief: 05/26/2012
Belko Lectures; Lupus Walk; Life Line screenings; TC Smart Commute; and more
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Blues win another state title
The Traverse Bay Blues high school girls rugby team kept its win streak alive with a dominating 46-0 win over Berkley in the state championship game. It was the third consecutive state crown for the Blues, who have not lost in three years.
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Futures File: Eurozone, investors troubled by Greek drama
The euro currency continued to sink this week, falling to the lowest price since 2010.
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No new trial for Interlochen robber
A man who robbed an Interlochen mini-golf course with an unloaded gun won't get a new trial. A Grand Traverse County jury found Thurston Wayne Keinonen III guilty of armed robbery and three other felony charges in November 2010.
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Business in Brief: Michigan dairies show April milk increase
Milk production from Michigan dairy herds in April increased from last year.
Continued ... - Newsmakers: 05/26/2012
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Deputies: Drunken woman drove with child
Deetra Marie Rosebush, 40, is charged with a felony count of operating while intoxicated with an occupant under 16 and operating with a suspended license, a misdemeanor.
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Council created in 2010 names members
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has named the members of a council created in a 2010 settlement to ensure Native American farmers and ranchers have access to Department of Agriculture programs.
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Sugar fight takes another bitter turn
The Sugar Association is accusing the makers of high fructose corn syrup of trying to candy-coat their image by calling their product a "sugar."
Continued ... - Candidates for elected positions in Antrim County
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Kim K. Gets Wet and Wild
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