MARQUETTE, MI – Harley James Adair, age 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home, on Thursday, September 17, 2020.
Harley was born and raised in Munising, Michigan on July 7, 1932. In his earlier years he worked with his father on his commercial fishing boat on Lake Superior.
Harley is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Marguerite (Petersen) Adair; four daughters, Kelly Bollinger (Dave), Kathryn Adair (Stephen Mersereau), Karrie Jarratt (Pete), and Kristi Robinia (Rob); eleven grandchildren, Sarah Wells, Elizabeth Warneck, Annie Acs, Ryan Hiller, Devin Adair, Alex Mersereau, Matthew Mersereau, Marguerite Jarratt, Caitlin Jarratt, Dylan Robinia, Natalie Robinia; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Hale; brother, Royce Adair (Nancy); and eighteen nieces and nephews.
Harley is preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Ray Adair; and brothers, Richard and David.
Harley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to civilian life and earned undergraduate and masters degrees in the field of experimental psychology from Michigan State University in 1958. He had an interesting and atypical career in the fields of intelligence services and management, which originated with the Systems Development Corporation and involved extensive travel throughout the world. He brought his family in tow for longer stints in Hawaii, Japan, and Germany. Harley was a voracious reader who loved a robust philosophical debate and analyzing the financial markets. He also dabbled as an architect designing and building three beautiful homes in three different states, a restaurant, and the camp he imagined and dreamed of from his childhood. Throughout his life, he was tenacious about chasing white golf balls around courses and often became engrossed painting watercolor wildlife scenes.
Harley yearned for his U.P. roots and made his way back in later years to spend precious hours fly fishing, tromping around in the woods, and fighting marauding beavers intent on destroying his roads. Harley and Marguerite’s Van Lake camp in Nestoria became a retreat for children, grandchildren, and friends to immerse in nature and forget modern worries, tell stories, and restore spiritually.
The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Michael Catholic Church on Monday, September 21, beginning at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am with Rev. Greg Heikkala, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization that Harley held close to his heart: Bay Cliff Health Camp, P.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswanson hansen.com
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