LAURIUM – James Anthony Zubiena, 86, a resident of Laurium, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015, at home.

He was born August 9, 1929, in Laurium, the only child of John and Julia (Julio) Zubiena.

He attended Calumet Schools and graduated from Calumet High School with the class of 1948.

On October 3, 1959, he married Catherine Bonenfant at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Calumet.

Jim began working at a young age at his parents’ neighborhood grocery store, and got his driver’s license at the age of 15 so he could drive the delivery truck. He was employed as a bus driver at Michigan Technological University and the Copper Country Bus Line, drove a milk delivery truck for Jilbert’s Dairy, worked at Public Chevrolet Garage, where he met his future wife, and he and Cathy owned and operated Doc’s Standard gas station in Laurium. After closing the gas station he returned to the road and drove a school bus for the Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw. He retired in 1998 after 17 years of devotedly transporting the school children of the Copper Country. Following his retirement, Jim was a substitute bus driver and volunteer at the school.

Jim was a member of the Laurium Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, retiring in 1989, the Christopher Columbus Society, the Copper Country Sno-Kat Club, and was in the Michigan National Guard for three years.

In their younger years, Jim and Cathy enjoyed snowmobiling, playing cards, and picking agates with their sons. Jim never tired of driving, and he and Cathy made many trips to Green Bay, occasionally via the backroads. Ultimately, it didn’t matter where they went or what they did as long as they were together.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Cathy, on April 17, 2006. The agony of losing Cathy was eased somewhat by the birth of his “dolly”, Claire, on July 14, 2007. She was the light of his life and they shared a very special love.

Surviving are his son John of Winterville, North Carolina and his son, Daniel, daughter in law, Kristin, and granddaughter, Claire Catherine, of Laurium.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Calumet with Fr. Abraham Mupparathara to officiate and Deacon Art Stancher to assist.

At Jim’s request, there will be no public visitation.

Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials may be sent to: CLK School Foundation % CLK Public Schools
57070 Mine Street Calumet, MI 49913