Michael LeMerise

Michael LeMerise, a lifelong Utica resident, passed away on May 14, 2024 at the age of 74. Michael is the cherished husband for over 52 years of Janet (nee Scott); the loving father of Amanda (Scot) McLeod, Brent (Alicia) LeMerise, and Mark (Luiza) LeMerise; the adored grandfather of Sean (Kaitlyn) LeMerise, Haley (Erik) Batt, Alyssa (Devin) Milhem, Austin LeMerise, Brooklyn LeMerise, Brianna LeMerise, Jude McLeod, Juliana LeMerise, and Lia LeMerise; and the dear brother of Victor (Rhonda) LeMerise, Kurt (Mary) LeMerise.
Michael graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1967. In 1971, he graduated from Eastern Michigan with a Bachelor's degree. In 1975, he received his Master's degree from Wayne State. In 1980, Michael obtained a Specialist degree (1/2 of a PhD) from Wayne State in 1980. Michael always knew he wanted to work with kids, driving his passion to teach and coach. Michael worked for over 36 years in the Utica Community Schools, teaching physical education, health, social studies, where he was honored with the Teacher of the Year award. He was a longtime coach at Malow and Eppler, coaching football and baseball and was inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame. He created and coached the jump rope team at Beck for over 20 years to benefit the American Heart Association. Michael also worked with the State of Michigan writing the curriculum for physical education. He achieved the Governor's Fitness Award. Over the years, Michael oversaw over 20 student teachers from Wayne State. Michael was the President of MAHPERD/SHAPE. After his retirement from UCS, Michael was a student teacher area supervisor at Wayne State, Michigan State, Hope College, Adrian, and Albion. After his work career ended, he found a new passion in biking. Starting in 2006, Michael biked approximately 2000 miles a year. Finishing in 2022 with over 30,000 miles. Most of all, he loved his family. He enjoyed getting together with his children and grandchildren. Keeping his coaching close to his heart, he often organized backyard games for his family events. He will be deeply missed.
Michael's family will receive friends for a memorial visitation on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks East of Van Dyke), Utica. His service will be live streamed and can be viewed here: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxNjA2NDQ5MDMwOTc4NiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Michael's honor for a commemorative bench in River Bends Park in Shelby Township., Donations can be made at:https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-mike-coach-lem-lemerise-with-a-memorial-bench?member=34382737&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
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