John Tassier John Harvey “Jack” Tassier, 79, of Cedarville, helped establish a sugar bush business in Cedarville, and enjoyed building and restoring sailboats. Mr. Tassier died Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at his home after a brief illness.

He was born September 17, 1930 in Cedarville to John Peter and Violet Evelyn (nee Griffin) Tassier.

Mr. Tassier grew up in Cedarville and attended school there. He was graduated from high school in 1948. He joined the Coast Guard, where he was a diesel engineer and a “sharp shooter” for a ship in the North Atlantic. After completing his tour of duty, he moved to Detroit to be nearer to his future wife, Martha.

He married Martha McAdam August 22, 1953, at DeTour Presbyterian Church.

They moved back to Cedarville and he became employed at the Cedarville Quarry as an electrician. In keeping with his family's long tradition of home and boat building, he especially enjoyed building and restoring sailboats. In 1988, he, along with his family, Martha, Dan, and Deb, started the Tassier Sugar Bush business.

Mr. Tassier was a man of great integrity, friends said, who had a good work ethic and believed in truth and honesty. He loved God, his family, and his country. He was known to the children of many of his friends as “Uncle Jack.”

He also enjoyed sailing, hunting, fishing, and target shooting. Mr. Tassier especially loved to spend his summers sailing with his wife and granddaughters. He was a member of the Pickford American Legion, National Rifle Association, and the Sportsmen's Club at Cedarville.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; a son and his family, Daniel and Debra Tassier of Cedarville; two granddaughters and their families, Sharon and Frank Marsh and Tammie and Matthew Start; a great-grandson, Jack Marsh; a sister, Rowena Roach of Cedarville; a brother and his family, Steve and Sandy Tassier of Cedarville; six nieces and nephews and their families, Patricia and Tim Sechowski, Richard and Marlene Roach, James Roach, Steve and Heather Tassier, Mike and Kathy Tassier, David Tassier; five sisters-in-law; many great nieces and nephews, and many caring friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sons, Jeffrey and David, and two brothers in-law, Frank Roach and Charles Fountain.

Services were Saturday, April 17, at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Visitation was from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by services at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Gene Harrison and the Reverend Judith Arnold conducting the service. Burial was in Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Les Cheneaux Ambulance Auxiliary, P.O. Box 453, Hessel, Michigan 49745, the Clark Township Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 367, Cedarville, Michigan 49719, or the American Cancer Society for Mesothelioma Research, P.O. Box 22538, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1538.