Harold J. DeGrave
WILSON — Harold J. DeGrave, 85, of Wilson, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025 at the Bishop Noa Home.
Harold was born on November 20, 1939 in Gourley Township, son of Edward and Laura (Wery) Duchaine. He attended the Powers-Spalding High School.
After graduation, he worked at the Manitowoc Shipyards and at Harnischferger Corp for 24 years as a certified boom welder.
He married the former Geraldine Blahnik on October 8, 1969 at the St. Bruno Church in Nadeau. They spent 55 years together and had two sons, Kenneth and Christopher.
Harold also founded Bark River Fuel Chips providing wood chips to local schools, businesses, and mills. He retired from the Canadian National Railroad.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and camping. Harold and his family spent countless hours up at their camp and he loved country music. From 1989 until 2003, Harold served on the County Board of Appeals for Harris Township, was an active member in the U.A.W. Union, and was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Harold was also in several local country bands including The Mustangs, Northern Country, and the original Night Train as their lead guitarist.
Among survivors are his loving wife, Geraldine; sons, Ken and Chris (Terry) DeGrave, both of Wilson; grandchildren, Amanda (Nick) Levesque, Shannon DeGrave, Julie (Cole) Tebo, Nicholas DeGrave; brothers-in-law, Alan (Mary) Blahnik and Fred Janofski; sisters-in-law, Judy DeGrave and Barbra Blahnik; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his stepfather, Henry Duchaine; stepmother; Helen DeGrave; and siblings, Arlene Janofski, Pearl Larson, Evelyn Charlier, Ethel Wilber, Leonard DeGrave, and Tom DeGrave; father-in-law, Henry R. Blahnik; and brothers-in-law, Orvel Chailer, Vern Wilber, Robert Larson, and Henry J. Blahnik.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11 a.m. EST at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church with Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating.
Burial will take place in spring 2025 at the Nadeau Township Cemetery. Messages of condolence can be directed towards the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.