James Alain

Obituary of James Alain ChassellJames L. Alain, 69, passed away Thursday December 1, 2011, at the Portage Hospital following a short illness.He was born, raised, and formally educated in the Detroit Metro Area. Born on November 16, 1942, in Detroit, James lived in Highland Park as an infant. He grew up in the Walnut Lake area graduating from Birmingham Seaholm High School in 1960 and from Oakland University in 1964. James Alain moved north in 1964, settling in Chassell and living at Pine Stump Junction for 30+ years. He was a teacher with the Hancock Public Schools for 20 years. Later in life, James served in various capacities relating to Chassell Township. He authored two books on Chassell Township, served on the Township Board, the Zoning Appeals Board, etc. For a time he was the Chassell Twp. Zoning Administrator, and he also served 14 years as Chassell Twp. Clerk, retiring in March 1998 for health reasons.Mr. Alain was extremely interested in enthused with travel and transportation. He often noted that his "desire was named streetcar", and was widely known for his knowledge of Detroit, US, and even worldwide streetcar systems. This traces back to his early years in the Detroit area... watching and riding DSR Peter Witt streetcars along the Baker, Clairmont, Trumbull lines, along with the postwar PCC cars on Woodward, Jefferson, and Michigan-Gratiot. He was also interested in electric trolleybus operations; his favorite inspiration was the fleet of rare 1949 twin operating on the DSR's Crosstown trolleybus line.James was likewise a railroad fan. He traveled the length and width of the nation on Amtrak. Documenting the final decades of Copper Country rail service, an Amtrak cab ride thru the Columbia River gorge in Oregon, and riding the "time warp" RDC Budd Car rail service between Sudbury and White River, Ontario, were among his most treasured railroad activities.An avid traveler, James had traveled throughout all 50 states, most of Canada, and a bit into Mexico. For many years, he was member #3003 of the Airstream Trailer "Wally Byam" Club. And, for over twenty years, Mr. Alain was a very enthusiastic snowmobiler and ATVer.James was also a "Last Ride" aficionado. Among his favorites were being on board the last Peter Witt streetcars in Detroit and Toronto, and the last electric trolley buses in Milwaukee and Detroit, the last regularly scheduled steam passenger service in the US, the last run of the Milwaukee Road's "Copper Country Ltd", and actually driving the last run of the Tilden Mine/Baraga "Lost Bus" service.Surviving are a sister Marjorie and brother-in-law Thomas Peter, of Sarasota, FL, and three nephews (Max, Bill, David Peter). Numerous friends and more distant relatives also survive him. Preceding him in death were his parents Vincent and Irene (Lehto) Alain, his maternal grandparents, Matt and Impi (Finn) Lehto and his paternal grandparents Silfred and Louise (Richards) Alain.Funeral services for James will be held 11 am Tuesday December 6, 2011, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell with Rev. Ron Strobel to officiate. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday December 6, 2011, from 10 am until time of services at the funeral home.Later this summer a Polka Celebration of Jim's life will be held.To view Jim's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell has been assisting the family with the arrangements.Service Information To send flowers to the family of James Alain, please visit Tribute Store