Gene Veliquette

Gene Alan Veliquette, 67, went to be with his Heavenly Father, Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by his family. Gene was the son of the late Beverly C. (Bev) and Marie Veliquette, the third of twelve children, born August 19, 1947. He graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1965 and Michigan State University in 1970 with honors. Upon graduation he and his brothers bought their first farms and a cherry farming legacy was born. On November 25, 1977 he married the love of his life, Linda Carol Godfrey, in Grand Rapids. They made Williamsburg their home for the next 37 years where they raised 3 children, Rachel (Chance) Bunner of Traverse City, Charlotte (Kevin) Ball of Elk Rapids and Tyler Veliquette of Williamsburg. Gene dedicated his life to his family, his faith, work on the cherry farms, and Elk Rapids soccer. He served on many cherry industry boards over the years and was a founding member of Christ the King Church. Along with his twin brother Dean, he helped create the Cherryland Youth Association, helping to fundraise for and support area youth sporting activities. Gene was a hard worker, a visionary, an investor, and good friend to many. He treated people fairly and was always providing encouragement to take on new projects, challenging business partners, employees and family to think bigger and accomplish more. He provided ambitious business plans in great detail with an infectious "can do" attitude. He provided the vision and inspiration for growth at Cherry Ke, Cherries R Us, Great Lakes Packing, Shoreline Fruit and Triple D Orchards. He was an innovator that transformed the cherry industry. He was a leader by example and generous to a fault. He and Linda enjoyed being "snowbirds", wintering in Sebring, Florida in recent years and traveling the world with friends and family. He also enjoyed taking long walks, and talking about his visionary business goals with his wife. Gene's love for his nine grandchildren (Logan, Shaelyn, Marin, Preston, Spencer, Mattea, Jacob, Carter, and Hayden) was unparalleled. He looked forward to attending his grandchildren's school activities and sporting events. If you talked to him for more than a minute, you were sure to get an earful about his grandkids. His positive outlook on life and business, larger than life personality, and infectious smile will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Bev and Marie Veliquette, brother Rodney Veliquette, mother in law Clara Abercrombie, and sister in law Marjorie Veliquette. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings Norman Veliquette, Dean (Sharon) Veliquette, Shirley Cisneros, Trudy (Mike) Cullimore, Jan (Linda Rose) Veliquette, Neva Veliquette, Jim (Christy) Veliquette, Colleen Fryer, Jon Veliquette, and Toni (Duncan) Morrison. A funeral mass will take place Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Christ the King Church in Acme with Father Ray Cotter officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. also at the church with a Vigil service starting at 7 p.m.. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral mass on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be directed to Cherryland Youth Association, PO BOX 32, Elk Rapids, MI 49629. Past and present soccer players are encouraged to wear their soccer jersey to the funeral mass in honor of his love for Elk Rapids soccer. Arrangements have been handled by the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.