Charles Drouillard

Charles William Drouillard of Bellaire, Michigan

A great heart has been stilled. Chuck was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on June 17, 1938 and died at home in Bellaire, Michigan on August 23, 2015. From 1954-1960+, he was a professional photographer, shooting weddings, nature, and for Greenfield Village. He graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Detroit in 1960. He had 28 year career at AT&T, including Michigan Bell, South Central Bell and retired in 1989 as an officer of Ameritech Publishing, holding 3 subsidiary president and 2 vice president titles simultaneously from 1984-1989. He served 2 years as President of the Detroit Zoological Society, most notably in establishing the Chimps of Harambee exhibit, and served on the Bronx zoo advisory board. After retiring from Ameritech, he served as COO and EVP of Maxwell Macmillan and was a consultant at KPMG Peat Marwick in NYC. He was the Michigan Travel Commissioner for 2 years, appointed by the governor.

He was a log home builder, and was President of the Grand Traverse Home Builders Association for 2 years. A collector since childhood, he became a stamp dealer, joined the American Philatelic Society in 2005, and the ASDA, CSDA, and RPSC. Throughout his life he was very active in the Catholic church; he joined the Knights of Columbus when he was 17 and was an honorary life member, lectured at mass, and in the 1960s was the highest ranking lay person in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, second only to the Cardinal. He was proud of his Native American Indian Heritage, and was a guest at schools, speaking about George Drouillard and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

He married the Love of his life, Margaret Johnson, on June 20th, 1959 and they were married for 56 years.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Erma and Clayton, sister Mary Jo (Adams), and stepfather Dave Pigott. He is survived by his wife, Marge, and children, Suzette, Lisa, Charles (Jeri), and Maria; grandchildren Stephanie Drouillard, Jessica (Drouillard) Ostrander, Alex Drouillard, and Natalie Drouillard; many in-laws, stepsiblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Chuck had a wonderful, crazy sense of humor, with a booming, announcer's voice, and was active in environmental, political, and animal associations. He loved watching freighters and tall ships, and visiting lighthouses. He enjoyed Classical, Symphony Pops, Big Band, Patriotic, Jazz, 70s Easy Listening music, and attending concerts at Interlochen. He was a big sports fan, especially Tigers, Red Wings, football, Indy car and horse racing, etc. He was a great handyman and electrician, an avid reader, and was the best at everything he did.

Funeral services: Visitation will be held at Czopek Funeral Home, 2157 Oak St., Wyandotte, Michigan, Sunday, August 30th from 5-8pm, Rosary at 7:30pm. Funeral Mass will be Monday, August 31st, at 10am (Visitation at 9:30am), at St. Mary Catholic Church, 32447 Church St., Rockwood, Michigan. Also, Bellaire, Michigan Services will be Thursday, September 3rd, 6-8pm, Visitation, and Rosary at 7:30pm, at Mortensen Funeral Home. Friday, September 4th, 1pm Mass at St. Luke Catholic Church, Bellaire, Michigan.

Memorial Donations may be sent to: Commission on Aging, Bellaire, Michigan, St. Luke Catholic Church, Bellaire, Michigan, St. Mary Catholic School, Rockwood, Michigan.