Widow of long-time Huskies’ Hockey Head Coach was 99 years old
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Jerry MacInnes passed away on Thursday, January 29 in Houghton at the age of 99. Jerry arrived in the Copper Country in 1956 and was an avid supporter of the Huskies. She was inducted into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
While her husband John coached the hockey team for 26 seasons (1956-82), Jerry wove her own niche in assisting with many athletic functions, including fundraising, hosting families, and setting up banquets. And despite her husband’s passing in 1983, Jerry continued to be very active in her support of Michigan Tech Athletics.
Included in her endeavors were serving both the Huskies Club and Blueline Clue Board of Directors. She was also of the Hockey Advisory Council and active in the Hockey Educational Center fundraising drive and planning hockey reunions.
MacInnes kept in close contact with many of the alumni of the hockey program, and she was a regular presence at Michigan Tech home athletic events, including annually presenting the MacInnes Trophy at Winter Carnival.
Statement from Suzanne Sanregret, Michigan Tech VP for Athletics & Recreation, on Jerry MacInnes:
Michigan Tech Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of Jerry MacInnes. She had a remarkable presence in the Michigan Tech community and was the ultimate supporter of Huskies hockey. Jerry was always sincere with her suggestions, consistently offering thoughtful and well-considered guidance with the long-term success of the program always in mind. I valued her opinion and mentorship deeply. While she proudly carried forward John’s legacy, she also created a lasting legacy of her own through her continued involvement with the program after his passing. She shared an incredible bond with the former players who competed under John—one that endured long after their time in Houghton. We will miss seeing her at the Mac and are grateful she was able to spend meaningful time with her children in her final days.
