Condolence From: Dave Ryynanen
Condolence: I had the honor of being Gerry's reader for three years, while I attended Suomi College, then MTU. I worked with him from about '66 thru '69, while he roomed with a Mrs. Mattson - a fellow teacher - in Hancock. I'd read his Redridge classes' textbooks to him as he took notes on a Braille writer. I'd also grade his students' papers with him, often helping him decide on a grade for essay answers! We had a ton of laughs together! He amazed me with his stories about his adaptation(s) to his blindness. After he'd greet me at the door, he'd RUN up the three-direction steps to his room, then turn around and smile, "Not bad for an old man, hey, Ryynanen?" I remember that the Daily Mining Gazette publishing a story about Gerry one Saturday, probably in the late '60s. An amazing man who could see the goodness and the potential in the people he met, whose lives he touched beautifully, with so much grace. Rest well, Gerry! As you enjoy eternal vision, tell them up there that you'll be holding class for us all when we join you! I love you, dear man!
Wednesday January 25, 2017
Condolence From: MaryEllen
Condolence: I was very saddened to her of Mr. Stefonichs passing. He will always be in my memories. He was my favorite teacher at E.B. Holman. A very talented & smart man. He was able to throw an eraser at anyone he wanted to.. and hit them!! With his keen sense of hearing he would also know who it was out of their seat! What a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Thursday June 30, 2016
Condolence From: Donald B. Delorme
Condolence: Debbie:
I feel very fortunate to have visited you and Gerry last July 2015 with my brother Jim Lovay from Manistique, MI. My deceased wife Kathryn Nancarrow knew Claire from grade school and we had many Happy visits with Gerry and Claire over many years. Gerry and Claire treated us to the resort restaurant in Copper Harbor when Gerry was on the Keweenaw County Board.
Don Delorme
West Melbourne, FL
Sunday March 27, 2016
Condolence From: Kim Juleff Johnson
Condolence: My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time. Mr. S was truly an amazing man and an inspiration to so many who were fortunate to have him as a teacher. I am one of the many whose life he touched and I feel it was a privilege to know him. To this day every time I hear "White Christmas" I hear him on the accordion as he played it for our Christmas programs every year. I am happy that I had the opportunity to see him in recent years and let him know that he was and will always be my favorite teacher...and that I am proud to have known him. He will be missed by so many. May the memories help to ease the pain of loss.
Thursday March 17, 2016
Condolence From: Dick (Storm) Tuisku
Condolence: My deepest sympathy to Jerry's family. I have LOTS of memoriee----he and I used to travel from Houghton to Lansing together to the Michigan School for the Blind. It was my duty to take him up to the deck of the Mackinac ferry when we crossed the straits! After the school for the blind, we kept in contact basically through music. He was a great guy, a tribute to humanity. He never let his handicap become a handicap. I have the world of respect for Jerry. Rest in peace, buddy.
Tuesday March 15, 2016
Condolence From: Anne Loring
Condolence: My dad's brother was Claire Stefanich's first husband, and I met Gerry when I visited him and Claire with my parents on a trip to the UP about 30 years ago. He left a lasting impression. He showed us where he'd been doing some plumbing repairs-- by himself, of course-- and we had a talk about doing math in his head. Gerry explained that the numbers were like colors in his mind and he saw how they moved and flowed. My mom's sister Mary Shaltz Zunich had known Gerry as a little boy who'd come into the bakery she & her husband owned in Calumet, and when I told her about meeting him she commented on how smart that little boy was. A truly remarkable, inspiring man who deserves to be remembered and honored forever.
Tuesday March 15, 2016
Condolence From: Kelly Rintala White
Condolence: I am very sorry to hear of Mr Stefanich's passing. I was lucky to have him as a teacher at E.B. Holman in the 1970's. To this day I tell people what an amazing teacher he was! Yes, I remember how well behaved his classes were. He did have respect of the class,as well as we had his. I remember his sense of humor and his smile. My sister, Brother and I all were fortunate to have him as a teacher. It was great visiting with him at the Redridge Reunion in 1997. I will always remember the great person that he was and glad I got to have him for a teacher for 2 years. Thank you for the great memorial about his life. He will be surely missed! My thoughts are with his family. Kelly Rintala White
Monday March 14, 2016
Condolence From: Greg Ozanich
Condolence: I had the pleasure of working with Gerry for the first six years of my teaching career and we shared many laughs before he retired in 1993. He was a man of many talents and would often WOW! me with his quick wit, memory, and stories of days gone by. Sure going to miss our August chats as the birthdays roll around each year, G.-Bear, but just know that you've touched a lot of lives while here with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. G. & T.
Friday March 11, 2016
