Jim Marshall 1931-2006
Jim Marshall, IRFFA  “Friend”

Jim Marshall was called an “adventurer, publisher, writer, storyteller, personality, conversationalist, and yachtsman”. Among the many organizations proud to have Jim as a member, was the Isle Royale Families and Friends Association.  At our first winter meeting in Minneapolis Jim asked that we change our name from the Isle Royale Original Families to our current name so that we reflected those members who cared about the history and culture of Isle Royale but were not ancestrally connected.  This was unanimously agreed to.

Jim loved everything Lake Superior, and he had a long and particularly close relationship to Isle Royale and its people. Until recent years when Jim’s health didn’t permit him to come to the island, I don’t remember a season not seeing Jim and crew somewhere on Isle Royale, aboard the Skipper Sam II.

Jim wrote many articles about the island, its people and cultural history. Jim became part of the history through his efforts to raise and preserve the America, his annual visits, and his extensive research and study of the island for Lake Superior Magazine.
Jim had an upbeat, friendly and optimistic manner. He was quick with a compliment and always made everyone around him feel like his dearest friend.

On behalf of all the IRFFA members, I would like to send our condolences to Jan and the rest of Jim’s crew. The loss of our “friend” is a loss to all of us who love Isle Royale and Lake Superior.