Lamoreaux, Massey Referee Final Football Game
Pair Have Worked 48 Years Together By David Latva

Jim Lamoreaux (right) and Gene Massey will officiate their final football game Friday, October 19, in Traverse City.

Jim Lamoreaux and Gene Massey of St. Ignace will put their football referee stripes on for the last time when they officiate their final game together in Traverse City, between rivals Traverse City West and Traverse City Central, Friday, October 19. The duo has been officiating together for 48 years.

Mr. Lamoreaux started working with Bud Veceillo and Jim R. MacDonald in 1956. Mr. Massey joined the team after MacDonald left in 1960.

Jack Ryerse of St. Ignace later replaced Mr. Veceillo, and the trio was joined by Bob Kalbfleisch to form the first four-man officiating crew in the Upper Peninsula.

Mr. Lamoreaux and Mr. Massey have officiated 14 to 16 football games each season over the years, including playoffs assigned by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. They have traveled thousands of miles throughout the state to officiate games.

"We have probably traveled farther than any other crew in the state, from both sides of the Upper and Lower Peninsula," said Mr. Lamoreaux. "Draw a line from Kingsford and Iron Mountain area to Marquette and Ishpeming in the U.P., and from Traverse City and Alpena in the L.P., and that includes 75 schools from Michigan, Ontario, Wisconsin, and Ohio."

Mr. Lamoreaux has worked at three football state finals: Dearborn Divine Child and Grand Rapids Wyoming in 1978, Grand Rapids Central and Warren Woods in 1982, and Lake Linden and Sand Creek in 1992. Mr. Massey worked the 1983 finals between Traverse City St. Francis and Detroit DePorres, and the 1985 title game.

"Families are important, and with their support, it made our job easier," said Mr. Massey.

Mr. Lamoreaux's wife, Coralee, and daughters Lee Ann (deceased), Lynda, Holly, Sharon, and Jayne, were supportive over the years, as were Mr. Massey's wife, Joan, son, Michael, and daughter, Ann Marie.

Mr. Lamoreaux remembers one vivid story involving the birth of his fifth daughter, Jayne, while he was working.

A group was on the way to Manistique to officiate the football game August 31, 1956, and they arrived at the football complex with the state police waiting for him, with the news his wife was about to give birth to their child.

The troopers took Mr. Lamoreaux to Engadine, where a St. Ignace officer escorted him to Sault Ste. Marie, arriving at the hospital in time to find the mother and daughter doing well.

Today, football referee teams work as five-man crews instead of three- and four-person teams. Mr. Lamoreaux and Mr. Massey are joined this season by Eric Danielson of St. Ignace, Billy Norton (the U.S. postmaster in St. Ignace) of Sault Ste. Marie, and Jeff Clark of Kinross.

Mr. Lamoureaux and Mr. Massey agree their tenure was made positive by working with "great people" over the years. The two men have been mentors to more than 30 young officials.

TV 7 & 4 To Air Interview

TV 7 & 4 will air an interview with Jim Lamoreaux and Gene Massey Wednesday, October 17, during the 6 p.m. newscast.