Gerald Richard Compeau

Jerry was born on September 25, 1934, to Arthur and Anna (Landry) Compeau. He was raised on a dairy farm along with his only brother, Ray, who died in 2020.

In his youth, Jerry played baseball on the Indian Reserve Team in the County League and was invited to play professionally for the Chicago Cubs, but the Korean War interfered with this opportunity. Jerry needed to help his father on the farm because Ray left to serve in the Army.

Jerry graduated early with the Alpena High School Class of 1951 and later enrolled in U.S. Army Forces Institute college courses to study building skills. After graduation, he went to work for Floyd Gagnon Construction, where he worked on local commercial buildings, including St. Paul school, St. Bernard school, and the First Congregational Church.

When he reached the draft age, Jerry signed up to serve in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany with the 553rd Field Artillery Battalion. Before he left overseas, he married his wife, Audrey Mark, at St. Anne Catholic Church on August 10, 1957. Audrey joined Jerry in Germany and their first child was born in Frankfurt the next year.

Returning to the States, Jerry worked for Richard Hiser Cabinetry but eventually struck out on his own and formed Gerald Compeau Builders. He eventually became a licensed Master Builder, a Mechanical Contractor, a Master Plumber, and held boiler and backflow preventer certifications. Jerry spent more than 45 years with his crew building a wide variety of residential and commercial structures. Jerry was known for his attention to detail and expert construction skills. He and Audrey also purchased and managed rental properties and rented out cottages on Long Lake for many years.

Jerry was a member of the Pine Valley Hunt Club for 31 years; a charter member of the Alpena Evening Lions Club, and a member of St. Anne’s Church, where he served on the building committee during a major addition construction project.

After retirement, Jerry enjoyed traveling to military reunions with his Army buddies, which took place all over the United States. He was a WWII buff and a devoted reader and enjoyed escaping to his workshop where he crafted special projects using his many, many tools, some of which he invented himself. Jerry also enjoyed daily morning exercise walks at the Northern Lights Arena with a special group of friends, right up to the end of his life.

Jerry and Audrey enjoyed 67 years of marriage and celebrated the occasion with a special party recognizing that anniversary and their 90th birthdays in August 2024.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Audrey, his children, Julie (Reed) Hauck, Kurt Compeau, Diane Finch, Gail (Greg) Burg, and Jill (Darren) Compeau. A son Steven was born prematurely and died shortly after birth. Surviving grandchildren, Tegan (Kristin) Hauck, Austin (Jennie) Hauck, Jessica (Gabe) Taguatinga, Ryan (Kayla) Compeau, Forrest Schefke, Fletcher Schefke, Franklin Schefke, Jen (Rob) Hulquist, Amy (Tim) McDonald, Hillary (Kyle Anderson) Burg; great-grandchildren, Katie, Jacob, and Henry Hauck, Paloma Compeau, Thomas, Peter, Victoria, and Michael Taguatinga, and Elliot Anderson. His nieces and nephews include Gary Zolnierek, David Mark, Daniel Mark, Sarah Brabbs, Kathy (Chuck) Sobcjak, Karen (Matt) McGraf, Ken (Desiree) Compeau, and Ron Compeau.

Memorial visitation will take place at the Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. with the rosary at 3 p.m., military honors accorded him by VFW Alpena Post 2496 at 5 p.m. and parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Memorial visitation will continue at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Emmanuel Finbarr officiating.

Inurnment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorial gifts: All Saints of Alpena, Friends Together, or Northern Lights Arena, 751 Woodward Avenue, Alpena