RIP, LU 510 (Houghton, MI) Brother Ron Norkal (72)

Ronald R. ‘Ron’ Norkol
HANCOCK CANAL — Ronald R. “Ron” Norkol, 72, a resident of the Hancock Canal area, died on Saturday, October 21, 2006, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Hancock on January 19, 1934, a son of Raymond and Amelia (Mattila) Norkol. He attended the Hancock schools and was a 1952 graduate of the Hancock Central High School.

Ron was employed as a journeyman electrician and foreman. He started work as an electrician in 1956, and in 1958 joined the IBEW Local 510. He was also a member of Local 19 and Local 219. He retired in 1994, after over 48 years of employment with various companies including West Side Electric of Houghton, MJ Electric of Iron Mountain and Paul Electric of Iron Mountain. Ron loved his trade and looked forward to going to work. He missed his work friends after his retirement.

Ron was first married to Ann Marie Pernaski. He later married Mary C. Amato Townsend.

Ron attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.

He was a member of the former Hillside Athletic Club. Ron had a love for hockey and was active for many years with various organizations including playing hockey with the Portage Lake Pioneers and coaching Copper Country Jr. Hockey. He also played hockey with the Copper Country Oldtimers until the age of 53, and later looked forward to skating with the Wednesday afternoon Oldtimers at the Houghton County Arena.

Ron was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan. He also loved to fish and enjoyed both stream and lake fishing.

He was a well-known and respected person in the community and will be missed dearly by his family and many, many friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; his children and grandchildren, John and Jennifer Norkol of Hancock and their sons, Justin and Brandon, Steve and Kathy Norkol of Hancock and their son, Jacob, Steve and Mary Townsend of Cottage Gtove, Minn. and their daughters, Stephanie and Teresa, Frank and Barbara Townsend of Hancock and their children, Ryan, Jacob and Haley, Brian Townsend and his fiancee, Christine Koivu of Dollar Bay and their children, Breanne, David, Daniel, Nicholas, Caleb and Shayla, and Daniel Townsend of Spread Eagle, Wis; two brothers, Robert and Violet Norkol and Alden “Hank” and Dorothy Norkol of Hancock Township; and his very loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home in Hancock with Rev. Susan Odegard and Rev. Jimalee Jones to officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Because of Ron’s passion for hockey and his many years of involvement with the Houghton County Arena, his family suggests memorial tributes to be designated in his memory to the Houghton County Arena Building Improvement Fund, 1331 Anthony Street, Hancock, MI 49930.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.

The boys from the shack will never forget Van Zant. “Thanks for the memories.”