Alan Louis Deneau

Al Deneau, Loving family man and renowned Detroit newspaper and television photographer, Alan Louis Deneau, 87, died peacefully June 3 after a short illness. A Detroit native, Al’s early career was in photojournalism. He started as a copy kid at The Detroit News and found his niche in the photography department. His pictures reflected the key milestones of that time – covering the Wings and drinking from the Stanley Cup with Gordie Howe in the 50s. The 60s were a particularly memorable time - taking pictures at the Beatles concert at Olympia Stadium, capturing Martin Luther King’s march down Woodward Avenue and then spending a week downtown covering the riots of 1967. Many of his photographs won him numerous state and nationwide awards – some at only 19 years of age. He also experimented with underwater photography before that was common. His work was honored by Look Magazine. He met his first wife, Inamae Collins, at the News where they both worked. They had two children -- Chris Deneau (Brenda) and Shelley Dowland (Gary). Camping and skiing trips were some of the highlights of those times. With his second wife, Carolyn Van Dyke, he moved to Walloon Lake Village where they had an enjoyable life and hosted so many wonderful gatherings for the family. Carolyn was a nurse in Petoskey and Al was Melrose Township supervisor for a time. He also was an arson investigator for the township fire department and was part of the group that brought 911 services to the area. His popular bait shop at Si’s Marina helped numerous local and visiting anglers find the best spots on Walloon Lake. In the winter, he sold bait at his nearby home. His stuffed trout with homemade tartar sauce was a family delicacy. He passed on his love of fishing to his son and later to grandson. The annual opening and closing weekends of trout fishing, with a group that started more than 50 years ago on the Au Sable River, were epic. Chris followed in his dad’s media footsteps as a print specialist. Shelley was inspired by Al’s journalistic career to become a reporter in Escanaba and Petoskey -- later using related skills in automotive communications. After the sad passing of Carolyn, he moved back downstate to Northville, serving as liaison between his senior apartment and the county commission. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Pat and Liz, always as a supportive sounding board and a rock music consultant. He also was very proud to be a “girl” great-grandfather of four. The girls called him GG Al and spent many fun times with him. Al loved talking about family, music, sports, politics and current events. He was hoping a women president – preferably a Democrat – would be elected in his lifetime. He commiserated with those who were upset when Roe vs. Wade was overturned. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Carolyn; his father and mother, Alan and Rose; his brother, Jerry; and his sister, Phyllis. In addition to his two children, he is survived by grandson Pat (Crista), granddaughter Liz Osantoski (Nick), four great granddaughters, Aubrey, Shelby, Isla and Penelope, his sister, Lois, and numerous nieces and nephews. He leaves a lasting legacy for his family and all who were fortunate to know him. A celebration will be held at a later time.

Alan Louis Deneau

July 17, 1936 - June 3, 2024