Ben C. "Outdoor Ben" Pusakulich Sr., 61, of 611 2nd Ave. No., Hurley, died peacefully Tuesday morning, April 1, 2008, in his home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous, 7-year battle with colo-rectal cancer. Ben was born Jan. 12, 1947, in Wakefield, Mich., son of Benjamin and the late Eila (Haukkala) Pusakulich, attended Ramsay and Bessemer schools, and graduated from A. D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1965. He attended Northern Michigan University Vocational Skill Center in Marquette, and received an associate of arts degree in Business from Gogebic Community College. On Aug. 2, 1969, Ben was married to the former Darlene M. Stutz at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, by the Rev. Robert Schipper. He continued his education and became a certified OMC mechanic, and worked in St. Paul, Minn. for the 3M Co. in quality control from 1969-1974. Darlene and Ben then relocated to Ironwood in 1975, where Ben was employed at Ray Smeeth Sporting Goods from 1975-1982. He then became the owner of Ben's Marine Clinic in Ironwood in Dec. of 1982, operating the business to the present time. Ben was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce, and the White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club. He served as assistant Cub Master for Montreal Cub Scout Troop 434, and was a member of the former Montreal Jaycees. Surviving are his wife, Darlene, of Hurley; a son, Ben Jr., Janesville; a daughter, Senia (Nathan) Janiga, St. Louis Park, Minn.; three grandchildren, Taylor Pusakulich, Janesville, and Kaitlin and Carter Janiga, St. Louis Park; his father, Benjamin Pusakulich, Ironwood; a brother, Richard (Benita), Wakefield; a sister, Linda (George) Delegan, South Range; a brother-and-sister-in-law, Willard "Bill" and Kelli Stutz, Montreal; uncles and aunts, Eero and Rose Haukkala, Ironwood, and Elmer and Carol Haukkala, Ashland; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his mother Eila, who preceded him in death on Oct. 10, 2007, Ben was preceded in death by his father-and-mother-in-law, Willard and Anita Stutz; sister-in-law, Kathleen "Kathy" Marecki; and uncle and aunt, Eino and June Haukkala. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, April 4, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl Pepin, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, with cremation to follow. Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the service. Friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. Pallbearers will be Elmer and Eero Haukkala, Ben Walston, Bill Stutz, Alan Schachman and Richard Pusakulich. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or in care of Regional Hospice for Ben Pusakulich, N-10561 Grandview Lane, Ironwood, Michigan 49938. To view Ben's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.