Dan Lorenzetti

Dan Lorenzetti, 69, “Block Man Dan”, a Houghton businessman for nearly four decades, died on April 2, 2015, with his family at his side.  Born on Quincy Hill on August 14, 1945, being a proud “hill boy”, he attended Quincy School through the 8th grade and graduated from Hancock High School in 1963.  He then attended Suomi College where he studied for two years.  Suomi held great affection in Dan’s heart for its guidance through a difficult two years of trying to become a student.  Dan forever tried to repay Suomi through constant and noisy vocal support.  He was first to encourage Suomi to start the nursing program, encouraged patience when the City of Hancock was pushing the College to eliminate residential houses scattered throughout the city and continued to be an advocate for expanding educational opportunities though enrollment.  Dan next attended Northern Michigan University and graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1968 and a Masters in Secondary Education in 1969.  He did extensive post graduate work throughout the University of Wisconsin.

Dan became Chairman of the Marketing Department upon arriving at Middleton High School in Middleton, WI in 1969.  After two years he accepted the additional responsibility of Vocational Director.  In 1973 he was elevated to Assistant Principal.  In 1974 he and his family moved to Eagle River, WI where he was appointed principal of grades 9-12.  Dan stayed at ER through 1978 leaving to return to Houghton to assume control of the family business, Superior Block Co., his father having died in 1977.

Dan was an advocate for masonry from day one and expanded the entire line of products available, both though manufacturing changes and becoming an anchor for specialty products. Through Dan’s guidance, Superior Block was recognized in the masonry industry for its ability to produce difficult products through constant innovation.  It was common for visitors to request training at his operation.  He was a leader in the Wisconsin Masonry Association and cultivated many enduring relationships.  Dan always felt concrete block construction was a lifetime investment of stability and pride. 

Throughout his career Dan was a staunch believer in supporting fellow businessmen, professionals, educators and administrators, often lecturing on the topic.  He had limited patience for those who could not understand taking care of one-another.  He wanted his community to be the best and championed many causes.  His most visible and passionate was the campaign for Mont Ripley snow making.  Insisting that it was critical for MTU recruitment and the children of the Copper Country, he drew his own line in the sand and insisted that the hill must survive.  After convincing the new MTU president to make a match to funds raised, Dan and his friend, Bob Grasseschi, raised near ¾ of a million dollars for MTU snow-making, saving the hill for generations.  Lorenzetti never stopped wanting more for Mt. Ripley, going forward adding additional runs and contouring one run so his St. Joan could ski at his side.  His favorite run is named “Danny Boy”.  In Dan’s final weeks he looked for ways to raise funds to double the size of the chalet.  He truly wanted MT. Ripley to be the cement between the community and Tech.

When his friend Glenn Mroz told Dan the west end of campus looked ratty after the new road was put through, Dan immediately announced there would be a Memorial Grove of Trees planted.  Four months later he had sold 100 trees.  He looked at the Grove with great pride, pleased that so many people from different walks of life wished to make the memorial possible.

Dan’s most recent involvement with MTU was Alumni Way.   Seeing the need for a startup push, his family was one of the first with a donation for the project.  His motto was “help me do it or get out of the way and I’ll do it myself”.  He never forgot the many supporters who “made him look good.”

Dan was active in the City of Hancock politics for 40 years.  He served as Mayor in 1981, and was there through some rough times, good and bad.  “When you get knocked down, get up and become a better man.”  He served the City of Hancock Building Authority as Chairman for 25 years.  During his chairmanship he personally supervised City Hall remodeling twice, building a new DPW garage and the new fire hall.  He was proud to have been granted “Honorary Fireman” status after saving enough on the hall construction to be eligible for funds for a new truck, the first in decades.  Dan also served for years on the Planning Commission.  He always chided the members to be proud of their consolidated efforts to move the community forward without turmoil.

He served the Torch Lake Public Advisory Council for nearly twenty years and was the leader in getting the Superfund Status removed from the National Priority List.  

Dan was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock, having served on the board as a member and chairman.  His construction background shepherded the church through two major projects: a new entrance and garage addition and a major roof beam reconstruction.  He took great pride in both projects.

Dan loved helping out and took great pride when his buddy, Juk, asked him to help build a new home on Birch St.  Over the next 8 months Dan put everything else aside and poured himself into making Dave’s dream home handicap and barrier free.  The project became an obsession and made the pair inseparable.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Bernice.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joan; a son, Michael (Kim), his children Quincy, Paul and Maria, and step-children Christopher and Scott; a daughter, Danielle Cyrus(Michael) and their children, Dante and Jillian.  He also is survived by his aunts, Rosemary Schwenk and Rose Cariddi and their children.  Dan also continued his affection for his former daughter-in-law, Joan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Resurrection, Hancock MI on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 A.M. with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 am.  The family will receive friends at the church from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, April 6. The family requests that any memorials be directed to the MTU Alumni Fund, Mont Ripley Expansion, 702 Hancock St., Hancock, MI  49930.  The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Condolences may be left on line at www.oneilldennisfh.com.

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