Michael D. Black

Michael D. Black, 82, of Marquette, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of U.P. Home Health & Hospice.
Mike was born on June 10, 1941 in Marquette, a son of the late George and Sabina (Casper) Black and was a lifelong area resident. He was a 1959 graduate of Graveraet High School and did attend NMU for a short while before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Following his service in the Army, Mike returned to Marquette and began working with the Armor Meat Company as a salesperson. He was also formerly employed at Cleveland Cliffs, Bunny Bread, and at age 40 became a journeyman apprentice with the electrical union and eventually became a journeyman electrician, a position he held for 20 years. He was very proud of this accomplishment, making lifelong friends. He traveled for jobs and over the years made many friends who respected him and his strong union support
After retirement, Mike went to work for the Marquette Country Convention and Visitors Bureau for 10 years.
Mike was very proud of growing up in South Marquette. The last ride on his truck was thru South MarquetteI taking in every street, house, and memory just one week before he died. He will be remembered as a loyal friend, kind to a fault and tough. He was very proud of those qualities. He was a long time member of Local IBEW # 906.
His hobbies included golfing being a longtime member of Gentz's Homestead Golf Course. He played with great competitiveness in the Thursday morning league. Friday was a road trip with Pat to a U P golf course. These road trips included down south where he and Pat spent winters. A favorite for both of them was golf at the Pensacola Naval Station while the Blue Angels practiced.
Another passion came when he purchased his Harley Davidson Fat Boy and they both loved the freedom of the road.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 56 years, the former Patricia Salani whom he married on November 17, 1967 in Marquette; three children, Dean William (Bridget Koscielny) Schaefer of Marquette, Amber (Tim) Black-Pitcher of Mason, MI and Shawn Eliason of Midland, Tx; five grandchildren: Timothy Pitcher II, Dean William Schaeffer II, Shayla Eliason, Braden Eliason and special granddaughter Lisa (Kurt) Hytinen-Abramson; four great grandsons, Timothy Pitcher III, William, Trevor and Michael Just; one brother, George Francis Black of Sarasota, FL; two nephews, Jeff (Jean) Black and Rodney (Carol) Mattson; one niece, Sandy Kivela. Preceding him in death besides his parents were a daughter, Kim Ann Schaefer; two sisters, Frances Black and Elaine Black Mattson; mother and father-in-law, Babe and Dorothy Salani, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dick and Joan Normand.
Mike loved his wife, his children, and living on Lake Superior. He was fortunate to have it all and best of all, as Frank Sinatra would say "I Did It My Way"!
The Black family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, October 26th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services where a celebration of Mike's life will take place at 3 p.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Thomas Merkel officiating. A reception will take place at American Legion Post #44 immediately following the service.
Mike's obituary can also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.