Arnold David LeMessurier

Arnold D. LeMessurier, age 82, a 51-year resident of Royal Oak, died July 28, 2016 in Sterling Heights. His loving wife Mary, preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by his children Ann M. (Gregg Gilson) LeMessurier and Paul N. LeMessurier (longtime companion Lisa Abraham); granddaughters Amanda LeMessurier and Kelly Gilson; Lisa’s children Stephanie and Devin; and grandson Logan. Arnold was the youngest of Norman and Viola LeMessurier’s three children, and the only one born at home. He is survived by his older brother Ralph and preceded in death by his older sister Marian. His school years were filled with basketball games, swim meets and your typical neighborhood baseball games. In his early adult years, Arnold could be found at the bowling alley, either on a league with his buddies or filling in for his father. Arnold honorably served our country in the U.S. Army from November of 1956 until November of 1958. His favorite memory of his time in service was when he was in Colorado. His platoon went to bed one night, it was a bit chilly but comfortable, and when they woke up in the morning there was 6 inches of snow on the ground! He was not a happy camper! He disliked the cold even back then. Upon his return from the service, he began dating his future wife and longtime neighbor, the former Mary Dolha. Even though Arnold and Mary knew each other since they were 8 or 10 years old, as they lived one house apart on the east side of Detroit, they never dated until his return from the service. Arnold and Mary married in August of 1960, and moved to Royal Oak from Detroit in the summer of 1964 to raise their family. Arnold worked outside construction, as a sheet metal worker, sometimes alongside his father, Norman, until he decided to join General Motors (GM) in their maintenance department in 1974. He began his career with GM working at the Detroit Diesel facility in Redford and then transferred to the new Powertrain Engine Plant, once it was completed in Romulus, until his retirement in August of 2000. Sometime, during the slow periods of working outside construction, Arnold took an appliance repair class. He turned that knowledge into a successful side business, repairing appliances for a number of apartment complexes in the Royal Oak and surrounding areas. He was a loyal, solid, dependable, steadfast, gentleman, who rarely took risks in life. He preferred the sure thing, with the exception of driving. Arnie thought nothing of getting behind the wheel of the car and just driving, with no specific destination or route in place. Wherever the road took him was OK, as long as he had gas. He loved the challenge of seeing where the road would take him. His favorite saying when asked how much further or longer until we’re there was “49 more turns”, a saying he got from his father, Norman. He loved to piece together puzzles, play board games, card games and any type of number puzzles. He looked forward to playing cards, either Euchre or Pinochle on Saturday night with his friends. His greatest joys were traveling, again in the car, and watching his grandchildren – Amanda and Kelly, excel at their respective sports – baseball and hockey. His trademark saying was “I’ll take care of it”. Needless to say, some things are still left to do…. There will be a memorial gathering Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 5 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W Eleven Mile Road (4 blocks E. of Woodward), Royal Oak. Memorials to the donor’s choice of charity are appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

Arnold David LeMessurier

February 28, 1934 - July 28, 2016