Brian Ouimette

Brian Ouimette formerly of Iron Mountain, MI, passed away on August 21, 2026, at his home in Tumalo, Oregon. He was born in Iron Mountain on December 14, 1949, to Leroy and Catherine (Rovge) Ouimette and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1968. In high school he was a talented basketball player who was one of just a few players who scored over 1000 points in his high school career, notably before three pointers were designated scores. The school noted his accomplishment with a plaque. Ouimette attended NMU on a basketball scholarship and had a notable freshman year, playing 2 years on the Wildcat Varsity team. He graduated with a teaching degree in special education and began a career of 30 years at the Dickinson Iron Intermediate School. After several years of pioneering a program of co-teaching Head Start/Special Education with Elizabeth Stack, he obtained a master’s degree in Learning Disabilities and began working in partnership with the school psychologist to determine special needs placements. He did the academic testing in Iron and Dickinson County schools and provided grade level scores and input during placement planning sessions. He retired in December of 2004. In addition to playing in community schools adult basketball leagues, he pursued trout fishing like it was a career. He tied flies and made beautiful custom rods. His fishing skills were further honed when he teamed up with his father-in-law, Jack Brosio, and his group of “old timers”, including Glen Cory, who knew everywhere the trout were biting and fellow fishermen were scarce. He enjoyed fishing camaraderie, camp life, and being in the woods. He passed down his passion for fishing to his nephew, Eric Gauthier, who was like the son he never had. Photography was another hobby, and he won two Milwaukee Journal Awards. He did wedding photography for a few years and in later years took outstanding landscape photos. After retiring he gave away all his fishing gear and moved to Tumalo, Oregon. He lived a quiet life there with short trips in the area where he continued to capture the majestic beauty of the high desert, the surrounding mountains and coastal area. Though he missed the forests and streams of the U.P., the scenic beauty of Oregon provided solace. His health began to fail in recent years, and he battled esophageal cancer for the past 15 months, treasuring the gift of each day allotted to him. Brian leaves his wife, Gail Ouimette, formerly Gail Marlowe of Iron River; his step-daughter, Sara Marlowe (Steve) Cholette and their children, Olive and Eli; his very supportive twin daughters, Margot Ouimette of Portland, Oregon, and Andrea Ouimette of Waunakee, WI, and their mother, his first wife, Alice Brosio Reed of Iron Mountain; and a young grandchild, Andrea’s son, Jude Ouimette, with whom he played many games of online chess and sometimes lost to a then 6 year old. Other family members include his only sister, Kay (Jim) Gauthier of Iron Mountain; his nephew and fishing protégé, Eric Gauthier of Iron Mountain, and Eric’s children: Kyla, Alexandria, and Izabelle; his niece, Nicole Gauthier Barnes and her husband Zach and their daughter Violet of Oregon, WI. In Redmond, OR, extended family members include Gail’s daughter, Sara Marlowe Cholette (husband Steve Cholette), and their children, Olive and Eli. Among several friends, he leaves his former colleague and caring friend of 53 years, Elizabeth (a.k.a. Ebie) Stack of Norway and Tom Duchaine of Green Bay, WI, as well as former friends in the extended Lindeman family. Private family services will be held. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Brian Ouimette online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the local arrangements.

Brian Ouimette

December 14, 1949 - August 21, 2026