Joseph ‘Buckshot’ Potvin

BARK RIVER — Joseph “Buckshot” Potvin died peacefully on January 16, with his wife, Rose, and children, Marcel, Jenelle, and Lynette by his side. As he drifted away, the sounds of Marcel’s fiddle playing could be heard down the halls of St. Vincent’s Hospital. The Potvin family is eternally grateful to the hospital staff, especially Dr. Raziq, RN’s Alyssa, Oksana, Tennessee Tanner and Kristine, Rachel, and the countless respiratory therapists he referred to as “Captain Boom Booms.”

Buckshot was born September 18, 1940 to French-speaking parents in Schaffer, Michigan. His childhood was spent around Potvin’s Tavern. At Schaffer School, he learned English and later graduated from Holy Name High School. He attended Bay de Noc Community College and Northern Michigan University, graduating with an accounting degree in 1970.

He took great pride in his Vietnam-era military service in the Army and was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He was awarded Sharpshooter and Marksman in the Army. Following his service, Buckshot worked in Anchorage, Alaska.

On Good Friday, 1964, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake hit Anchorage while he was in the pawn shop on 4th Avenue. As the pawn shop crumbled, he raced out and jumped a rapidly expanding crevasse in the middle of the street finding safety in a vacant lot. His ’56 Chevy became high-centered when deep earthquake cracks opened under all four tires and was featured on the cover of Life Magazine.

After Alaska, Buckshot returned to Schaffer and Potvin’s Tavern where growing up, he had peeled potatoes and washed dishes. As a bartender and manager, he collected stories from the patrons which helped form the basis of his vast knowledge of Schaffer history. Many of these stories are documented on www.schafferquips.com. When questions arose regarding local history, it was common to hear, “I’m not sure, but you could ask Buckshot”.

He met the love of his life, “Rosie” (Neubauer), while working at the tavern and they were married nine months later in November of 1974. Buckshot and Rose celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024.

Buckshot and Rose moved to Bark River and together raised a family of three children. They both worked hard to ensure their children attended piano lessons. Buckshot encouraged them often, by saying, “if you practice the piano, I’ll do your dishes.” He was immensely proud of their musical abilities and was surrounded with this music until the end.

During his career, he worked as the Controller of Pinecrest Medical Care Facility in Powers, and the General Business Manager at St. Johns Forest Products in Spalding, before settling into his position as the Postmaster of Perronville. He was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. But his real passion was community service; he was active in the Lions Club, Bark River Township Centennial and Sesquicentennial Celebrations, American Legion Post 438, where he was a past commander and active adjutant, and he served as sexton of the Sacred Heart Cemetery. He was a member of the Bark River Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years and was a District Governor of the District 10 Lions Clubs. He worked as a Radio Operator for the US Forest Service and traveled to wildland fires throughout the Pacific Northwest and disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy.

Buckshot enjoyed spending time at Kamp Whiskey Jack throughout the year, hiking in the cedar swamp, chopping firewood, and hunting deer. He was a proud member of the Bark River Chat and Chew Club and looked forward to Tuesday mornings. He was a loving owner of five Alaskan Malamutes over the years (Buck, Czar, Kayak, Kenai, and Kinley). He began jogging in his 60s,competed in multiple 5k races, and loved to take Kinley out for runs. In the spring, Buckshot and Rose made maple syrup at his family’s Sugar Shack, which has operated for over 60 years. With his wife Rose he enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, visiting children and grandchildren in Oregon and California, and going on adventures to Germany, Quebec, Florida, Alaska, Isle Royale, and wherever else he could be guaranteed a good time. He had a strong love of community and contributed immensely to the Lions Club Off-Road Races and most recently helped initiate a 4th of July community tug of war, where he proudly coached the reigning champion Barkville Oxen team.

Buckshot is survived by his wife, Rose; children, Marcel Potvin (Dr. Anne Chouinard) of Prineville, Oregon, Jenelle Potvin (Steve Martelli) of Truckee, California, and Lynette Potvin (Dr. Evan Kane) of Hancock, Mich.; grandchildren, Stephen, Avian, Louisiane, Ly, and Adelyne; and sister, Margaret (Ken) Viau. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and countless friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Joseph; and brothers, John “Jack,” Jim and George.

He is leaving big shoes to fill and as we remember our husband, dad, Papa, uncle, and friend, we should look around to our neighbors, strangers, and community and ask how we can make a meaningful difference during our brief time with each other.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 23 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Chapel, 1236 Old Hwy 2 & 41, Bark River. Military honors will conclude visitation hours at 3 p.m. A mass will follow at 4 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church with Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating.

The committal service will take place in the spring at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the American Legion Post 438 or the Holy Name Scholarship Fund in Escanaba. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.