Dr. Bruce Trusock

Several well-known copper country personalities passed away in 2025, here are some of the people we lost as they appeared in the Daily Mining Gazette

• Dr Bruce Trusock, passed away January 14 at the age of 73. Trusock was an area staple a Michigan Technological University Athletics Hall of Fame member for his work on and off of the football field and a dependable and well-known medical practitioner in the Keweenaw for more than 40 years. He played football for MTU in the early 70s and for decades was team physician for most sports

• David Crowley of Laurium passed away on January 25 after a battle with cancer. Crowley touched lives in the Keweenaw in many ways. He was passionate about Theatre as an actor, director and educator. He authored several books for children and was an advocate and volunteer for many organizations including Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.

• Ron Racine, long-time manager at our local state parks died on February 22. He transferred to McLain State Park as assistant manager in 1970 and then was promoted to manager. In 1985, he became Park Manager of McLain, Twin Lakes, and Baraga State Parks. He held that position until retirement in 2000.

• Well-known Keweenaw clergyman Pastor Kenneth Toth passed away on April 15 at the age of 94 . He became pastor the church of Northwoods Christian Assembly, in the Copper Country in 1978, and he continued to do so for some 28 years. Many remember him from his daily radio “Prayer Time” on WMPL.

• Dr. Sally Druskovich Weathersby (formerly Dr. Sally Orr) of Ahmeek passed away May 7, she was 68. She graduated from the University of Michigan school of dentistry in 1987 and provided for the dental health of many in northern Houghton and Keweenaw counties for 30 years.

• William O’Donnell died June 5 in Liminga. He was 77. He had a 40 year career in accounting and financial services in the Keweenaw, but perhaps is best known as one of the founders of the Keweenaw Co-op in 1975. He continued as the Co-op’s manager for more than 20 years.

• John Lukowski, 66, passed away on June 27. He began his career at MTU in 1984, eventually serving as an associate professor in electrical engineering. Outside of the classroom he served on the Boston Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, 20 as chief.

• William Rose, 81, Died July 17. The Detroit native, following a trip to Guatemala, developed a passion for understanding volcanoes and served for 41 years as a professor of geology and volcanology at Michigan Tech, working alongside scientists from around the world.

• Dr. Leonard Beesley, well-known area dentist died on Nov. 18 at the age of 81. The Hancock native began his dental career in Lake Linden. He purchased his own practice, moved it to Hancock and operated his dental practice for 52 years, retiring in 2023.

• Long time advocate for music and the arts, Calumet native Bill Ivey passed away on Nov. 7, he was 81. Among his many accomplishments, he was the first full-time director of the County Music Foundation, Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to chair the National Endowment for the the Arts.