Ray Goudreau A memorial service was held for Ray Goudreau Saturday, April 30, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trout Lake.

Mr. Goudreau, born May 2, 1951, attended the Urseline Academy Catholic School until the eighth grade and was graduated from LaSalle High School in 1969.

A standout gridiron player for Coach Jerry Gallagher, Mr. Goudreau received All-Michigan Huron Shores Conference, All-Upper Peninsula, and All-State honors as a defensive tackle.

After entering the United States Army in 1971, Mr. Goudreau was sent to Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star for valor and numerous battle ribbons.

One of the stories shared by his sister, Jolene, at the memorial was about Vietnam. More than 150 servicemen were being flown by three Huey helicopters to a new base operation. Mr. Goudreau was one of 15 soldiers who had to wait for a return flight. All three helicopters ran into a fog bank and crashed into the side of the mountain, killing all 150 soldiers.

After the military, Mr. Goudreau moved to Alaska in 1975 and in the 1985 made his home in Tacoma, Washington, where he touched many lives with his work with youths and prisoners.

By February 2005, Mr. Goudreau was losing his 20-year battle with hepatitis C. An experimental treatment cleared the hepatitis problem, but destroyed his liver in the process.

After being put on a national list for liver donors the University of Washington Medical Center, he received a liver. He was being prepared for the operation when a 20-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital needing a liver. The young girl was a candidate for the same liver that was designated for Mr. Goudreau. After doctors conferred with Mr. Goudreau and his family, it was decided to give the liver to the young girl.

Mr. Goudreau died Saturday, April 1, 2005. He is survived by his son Jesse, two grandchildren, William and Charles, his father Steve, and eight brothers and sisters. His mother, Ruth, died in April 2004.

Honorary pallbearers included Fred O'Rourke, Frank Ahlich, David Koivuniemi, Dick Sweeney, Jeff Savard, and David Latva.