Joseph E. Gouin's Obituary
Joseph “Joe” Gouin, age 88, passed away on July 8, 2016, from natural causes after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He had been in the care of Harbor Hospice at the Poppen Residence. He was born on July 11, 1927, in Detroit to Dervine and Margaret (Doherty) Gouin. Joe served in the Army Air Corp. and was a World War II Veteran. Upon his return from service, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Detroit, met and married Germaine “Gerry” Parent and had seven children. After losing his beloved Gerry after 51 years of marriage, he was married several years later to Elaine Vanderlaan. They had eight years together before she preceded him in death. Joe was with Continental Motors/Teledyne for his entire career, beginning in Detroit, as an accountant. Teledyne transferred him and his family to Muskegon in 1963 where they settled in Montague, and then he was transferred to the Toledo area eight years later. He was active in the National Association of Accountants, National Management Association, and Toastmasters. He and Gerry always considered Western Michigan their “home” and they moved back after his retirement. Joe was a very active and dedicated member of church, sitting on the Finance Committee of his churches as well as other various positions. Joe was a dedicated volunteer working for various organizations such as Adopt-A-Reader, the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and several others. He was also a very dedicated, loving brother, friend, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His sense of humor and big laugh were legendary, and he enjoyed life to the fullest. He has always been considered the very best of an example in these areas and everyone loved and respected him for it. His favorite pastime was his family, but he loved to read, play golf, and spend time on the beach. Joe is survived by his children: Linda (Rick Rouwhorst) Beck, Denise (Bob) Kwiecien, David (Lori) Gouin, Bruce (Beth) Gouin, Mary (Hussein) Bajjey, Janet (Roderick) Hill, and Joseph (Christine) Gouin II; his 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law Blanche (Al) Liller and Jeannette (Bob) Blower, along with many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Elaine’s children: Susan Walters, Lori (Jim) Duplissis, and Roger (Linda) Vanderlaan; their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Gerry and his second wife Elaine, his parents, his parents-in-law George and Eva Parent, his two sisters and their husbands. A Memorial service will be celebrated at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1110 Dykstra Rd., Muskegon on Friday, August 5, 2016, at 2:00 pm. Visitation with the family will take place an hour before the service at 1:00 pm at the church. Memorials in Joe’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 564 S. Main St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, or to Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441.
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