Dominic "Joe" Joseph Venturato, Sr.

Dominic Joseph “Joe” Venturato, Sr., age 79, of Grand Marais, died on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Medilodge in Munising.  Joe was born to Dominic and Edna Jean (Massey) Venturato on January 12, 1944.  Except for the very beginning and end of his life, he lived in Grand Marais.  Joe graduated from Burt Township High School. On November 26, 1968, he married Elizabeth “Liz” Gage.  Joe and Liz did everything together.  Their CDL licenses allowed them to drive their eighteen-wheeler across the country.  They worked side by side each other in their family-owned restaurant and sawmill as they built their retirement home together.  Joe and Liz worshiped together also.  They were both active and faithful members of Holy Rosary Church in Grand Marais where Joe served as a lector, cantor, and member of the choir.  He was also integral in the local politics serving as Burt Township Supervisor, on the Burt Township Board of Review, and the school board.  Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, and picking blueberries.

Joe is survived by his grandchildren – Hannah, Wesley, and Noel; brothers and sisters – John (Jo) Venturato of Grand Marais, Denis (Paula) Johnson of Marquette, Debra Beek of Allegan, Terri (Dave) Paradise of Cooks, Jim (Patty) Johnson of Sault Ste. Marie, and Robert Johnson of Rudyard; sister in law – Fairy Venturato; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife – Liz; children  - Joey, Dorothy, Richard, and Elizabeth “Lisa”; parents – Dominic Venturato and Edna Jean Johnson; brother – Gary Venturato; brother-in-law – Cliff Beek; sister-in-law – Dawne Johnson; and niece Lynn Johnson.

Services will be held at Holy Rosary on Monday, May 22, 2023 Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Father Michael Ocran will celebrate Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial at noon.

Interment will take place at the Holy Rosary Cemetery for both Joe and Dominic Joseph “Joey” Venturato, Jr.  following the Mass for Joe, Sr.