Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Alvin 'Captain Al' Pletzke

BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. — Alvin “Captain Al” Pletzke, 79, of Bruce Crossing passed away at his home Nov. 10, 2017.

Al was born on June 30, 1938, to Henry and Liza (Gauthier) Pletzke. He attended schools in the Ewen system, graduating with the Class of 1956.

He served three years in the U.S. Navy, worked for American Motors for several years, moving back to Bruce Crossing, where he married the former Kathleen Tooley on Nov. 24, 1962. He built a sport shop where he sold Ski Doo snowmobiles for many years. During this time, he coached the Bruce’s Little League teams.

He then bought his first big boat and got his Coast Guard license to be a fishing charter captain, operated Voyager Charters on Lake Superior (still planning next year on the lake.) He guided bear hunters for many years and operated Captain Al’s Karaoke, bringing music to a lot of people.

Al is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathleen; a son, Edward; and three grandchildren, Erin, Beth and Jesse, all of Bruce Crossing.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Henry “Sonny,” and numerous aunts and uncles.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cane Funeral Chapel, Bruce Crossing. Services will be held Thursday at the Cane Chapel in Bruce Crossing, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and a service at 11. Luncheon following the service at the VFW in Bruce Crossing.

The Cane Funeral Home of Bruce Crossing is assisting the family with arrangements.