Courtesy Photo The late Mike Froggett is pictured in his final minicar in his FROG suit, which he could be seen in at Alpena Fourth of July parades for more than 40 years. Froggett passed away on Feb. 1, and as a tribute to him, his retired minicar will be featured in the Fourth of July parade, starting from the Alpena County Fairgrounds at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

ALPENA — Anyone who has lived in Alpena for very long will recall seeing Mike Froggett racing around in his FROG suit in his minicar in the Fourth of July parade, bringing joy to paradegoers of all ages.

Froggett enjoyed bringing a smile to the faces of people, young and old, and spreading cheer throughout the community.

He passed away on Feb. 1, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

As a tribute to Froggett, his final minicar will be featured in Thursday’s Fourth of July parade, which will start at 11 a.m. from the Alpena County Fairgrounds and head down Chisholm Street through downtown.

“Mike and his cars were features in parades in Alpena and the surrounding communities for over 40 years,” his twin sister Joan Froggett Campbell said. “For this year’s parade, his last minicar and his FROG suit will be in the parade on a float with family members and friends walking alongside to commemorate his many years of service to the community.”

Froggett served the community in many ways.

“Mike had a servant’s heart and was very involved in his community,” his obituary reads. “His love for God, family, country, and community were top priorities in his life.”

He volunteered with the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon on WBKB in Alpena for over 30 years, manning the fishbowl to collect money for Jerry’s kids. Mike was a member of the Alpena Masonic Hopper Lodge #199 (Worshipful Master for 1992) and Elf Khurafeh Shriners, He volunteered to drive parents and their children to the Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago for treatment. He was also involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, the Food Bank and Soup Kitchen of the Saginaw Old Town Christian Outreach Center.

“Mike loved to drive his minicar dressed in his FROG suit in holiday parades, and bring smiles to everybody’s faces,” his obituary reads. “Mike’s minicar had his life motto emblazoned on its side — Fully Rely On God — and he would share that motto with everyone he met.”

Froggett passed after a seven-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

His twin sister said he always wanted to drive his minicar one last time in the Fourth of July parade, so featuring the retired car in the parade is a good way to pay tribute to him.

Born on Feb. 4, 1942, Froggett graduated from Alpena High School in 1961. He attended Alpena Community College, and also the Gemological Institute of America. He worked several years in the family business known as Froggett Jewelry. After he moved to Saginaw, he was employed at Saginaw Township Schools, Hopevale Church, St. Mary’s Hospital (where is was awarded the Employee of the Year), and Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority.

Reach Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley at 989-358-5691 or dhinkley@thealpenanews.com.