Bruce E. Porier

Bruce E. Porier of Iron River, MI passed away January 30, 2025, at the age of 85 at the Aspirus Iron River Hospital. He was born October 1, 1939, in Iron River, MI, the son of the late Ralph and Lilliam (Wernholm) Porier. Bruce graduated from Iron River High School with the class of 1957. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served for three years aboard the USS Cromwell until his honorable discharge in 1960. He moved back home to Iron River and started work at the Soo Hardware Co. in Iron River. He then was a part-time patrolman for the Iron River Police Department. He was hired full time in the Public Works Department on September 23, 1962, working as a laborer, heavy equipment operator, and then assistant foreman. He was promoted to Public Works Foreman in 1978 working 29 years total for the city until early retirement in 1990. After retirement, he was busy raising the young children at home, doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, snowplowing, yardwork, and painting. Bruce married Nancy Perttula on February 8, 1975, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Trout Creek, MI. They spent 50 years together and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in nine days. Bruce loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing whether it was on the ice and in a boat on nearby lakes. His favorite times were around a campfire and camping with his family, mostly at Perch Lake in Iron County. He gave his children the love of outdoors as a great accomplishment in his life. He kept very busy until health issues slowed him in the past nine years. He also enjoyed playing slots at various casinos. Bruce is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Jason Porier, Marcus (Alisa Beck) Porier, Michelle (Robert-Aldo) Aldegarie, Duane (Terry Jacobson) Porier, and Kerri Stapleton; brother, Robert (Judy) Porier; sister, Lorraine (Toot) Johannes; aunt, Lucille Wernholm; grandchildren, Jaiden Dobson, Brie, Nevin, and Colin Porier, Riley Porier, Tina (Mark) Maddox, and Dawson and Morgan Stapleton; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Wilbert and Lois Perttula and numerous aunts, uncles, and relatives. The family extends a big thank you to the hospital staff and therapists who took excellent care of him. A Celebration of life will be held this summer with family and friends. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruce E. Porier, please visit our flower store.