Lawrence TESSIER

Lawrence Tessier 1928-2012

Larry was born on March 16, 1928, to Joseph and Bertha Tessier.

He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1947. Larry was an outstanding athlete, excelling in football, baseball, track, and basketball, and was a guard on the winning team of the 1947 State Basketball Championship. He was a Golden Gloves boxing champion in 1944, and received all state honors in football and baseball. Larry was inducted into the Denfeld Hall of Fame in 1966.

He signed on with the Detroit Tigers after high school graduation as a pitcher. Larry developed arm trouble and had to take the 1952 season off. In 1953, he started spring training with the Duluth Dukes. His career ended in June 1953 from an accident he had while working for the railroad. Larry always had a love for the game. If he couldn’t play baseball any longer himself, he spent summers coaching his son in Little League and then later coached his daughters in women’s softball. Mr. T, which he was proudly referred to as, was very supportive of women’s softball and was honored to have a memorial softball tournament named in memory of his daughter Diane. The Tessier Waltman Softball Memorial Tournament ran for 35 years.

Larry married his high school sweetheart Connie Erickson and celebrated 61 years of marriage. He was employed by the Burlington Northern Railroad as a Switchman for 37 years, retiring in 1988.

Larry and Connie operated the Enger Park Golf Course concession stand from 1965 to 1971. At this time, Lawrence took up the game of golf. He was a co-founder and member of the Zenith City Golf Club at Enger Park Golf Course. Additionally, he was a member of Pugs Club, the Lake Avenue Loafers Club, and a life member of the French Club. He enjoyed his Tuesday Cribbage Club, and was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Bertha Tessier, daughter Diane, brother, Maurice (Eileen) Tessier, father and mother-in law Oscar and Martha Erickson, brother-in-law Roger Vadnais, and nephew Mark Gustafson.

Survived by his beloved wife Connie, children Renee (John) McAdamis, Carla (Gordon) Montgomery, Larry (Kim), and Julie (Lynn Elmer); nine grandchildren, Mandy(Michael Oney) Robbins, Christopher (Amanda) Robbins, Michael (Stephanie) McAdamis, Eric (Amanda Herzog), Lindsey (Chad) Tevlin, Kelsey (Derek) Lindquist, Katelyn, Kaylee, and Connor; five great-grandchildren, Samantha(Michael Van Derheuvel) Robbins, Jerrick Ashcroft, Amelia Ashcroft, Mason Robbins, and Brooklyn Tevlin; brothers Ray (Pat); and Joseph (Julie); sisters Cecile (Daniel) Boone, and Gen (Sarge) Larson; sisters-in-law Beverly Vadnais and Karen (Roger) Gustafson; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his extended family “The TW Crew.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11:00 in St Lawrence Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. William Fider as Celebrant. Visitation will be 5-7:00 on Thursday in the Church and from 10:00 until the Funeral service on Friday. Burial will be in Oneota Cemetery.

Downs Funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.