Roy Isaacson, 76, passed away on November 14 at Westgate Nursing Home in Ironwood Michigan. Although he battled Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s for several years, he lived a rich and rewarding life. His final days were spent surrounded by his family and the loving caregivers at Westgate.

Known as “Dickey” to many of his friends and family, he was born in Bessemer, Michigan on February 10, 1942 to mother Melvina (Stoor) Isaacson and father Herbert Isaacson. He attended Ramsay Grade School, Roosevelt School in Ironwood Township, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1960. He then worked with his father and brother, Dewey, on the family’s charter fishing boat. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1962 and served his country for four years aboard the U.S.S. Constellation. Following his duty, he attended Michigan Tech University where he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering.

He had two children, Michael and Michele, with his first wife Karen (Badovski). They lived in Ishpeming, Michigan, where Roy lived most of his adult life. They divorced, and Roy later met Nancy (Tuomela) Swanson, and the two of them lived happily together at their home near Teal Lake for more than 35 years.

Roy worked for Cleveland Cliffs Iron company for most of his life but also had a short career at Marinette Marine. After he retired, he volunteered for several years at the Michigan DNR as a game fish tagger. He was also a long-time member of his local Elks Club and VFW post.

Throughout his life, Roy was an avid sportsman, hunter and fisherman. He was a member of “Camp Gutshot” and was one of their most successful bow and rifle huntsmen. He was skilled at bowling and throwing horse shoes and earned dozens of trophies for both. He had countless interests and hobbies and enjoyed many hours tinkering in his workshop and garage. During the winter months, he enjoyed snowmobiling, snowshoeing and skiing. He was the first guy on the ice in the early winter to enjoy an afternoon of ice fishing and, as confirmed by several newspapers and tv newscasts, he was often the last man to brave the thawing ice in the spring. Fishing was his passion. For him, it was more than just a sport or hobby. He found his true wealth and happiness in the tranquility of this peaceful pastime.

Roy also loved to travel and go camping. He took his family on multiple Christmas vacations to Florida, and a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to visit more than a dozen national parks on the way to see his brother Dewey who was serving in the Coast Guard in San Francisco. Later in life, he enjoyed taking his three grandchildren to Nancy’s camp where they would spend the days fishing, swimming and canoeing.

He was a loving father, brother, grandfather, partner and friend. He had an animated sense of humor and a generous spirit. During his life, he was very generous with his family and also donated thousands of dollars to various children’s charities and wildlife/conservation funds. Roy will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Roy was predeceased by his brothers Richard, Ray, Billy, Bobby and John; parents Herbert and Melvina; nephew Bill; long-time companion Nancy Swanson; former son-in-law Chris Berman; former daughter-in-law Cindy Swanson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Roy is survived by his son Michael (Jason Collum) Isaacson; daughter Michele (Michael) Chepeck, brother Dewey (Linda Ellen) Isaacson, sister Betsy (Curt) Slabaugh, granddaughters Erika Berman and Ashley (Jesse) Kusba; grandson Shawn Berman; niece Rosanne (Greg) Corcoran; Nancy’s children Danny Swanson, David (Susan) Swanson and Suzy (Greg) Corkin, Nancy’s six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, his five great-grandchildren; great-nieces and -nephews; and many special friends.

Roy’s family and friends send a heartfelt thank you to the nurses, aides and staff at Westgate. Their care and support were always delivered with thoughtfulness and grace. Their kindness and generosity, especially in his final days, will never be forgotten.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

There will be a celebration of Roy’s life on Saturday, January 5, 2018 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, 304 S. Sophie Street in Bessemer. There will be a time to share memories at the funeral home at 2:00pm. Inurnment will take place in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls, Michigan in May of 2019. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralservices.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or any veteran’s organization of your choice.