Pierre Jean Toucheque, age 85, died suddenly on June 9, 2015 at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens. Pierre was born on August 17, 1929 in Gansharen, Belgium. He was educated in Belgium and graduated with his doctorate degree in 1957 from the Lemmens Institute of Music.

In 1957, Fr. John Jordan, the former pastor of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores, hired Professor Toucheque to come to his church to be the organist and designer and build a magnificent new pipe organ. This was the beginning of his long and storied career in music. Professor Toucheque was a natural-born, gifted teacher. He taught at St. Joan of Arc School and also had many private students who he mentored through the years.

Pierre also studied under two famous pipe organ composers, Flor Peeters and Marcel Dupré. Professor Toucheque organized a musical tour of Belgium for his protégé, Dr. Ronald Prowse.

His musical career as a church organist also took him to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Harper Woods, St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Roseville and St. Isidore Catholic Church in Macomb Township, his last church before retirement in 1993.

Pierre loved people and was a keen conversationalist. He was a former member of the Fraser Rotary Club, enjoyed classic cars, loved to travel-particularly to his native Belgium and was a judge for musical competition. He liked to watch tennis, soccer, and the Tour de France on television. He read the Belgian newspaper online and attended many concerts.

Pierre is survived by his wife Gail; his five daughters, Chantal Haddad (James), Brigitte Toucheque (Rock Sobolik), Annette Bogan, Colette McLogan (Jerry) and Nadine Toucheque; his step-son, David Taylor (Crystal Hazelett); seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held for Professor Toucheque at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Greater Mack at Overlake in St. Clair Shores at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21. The family will receive friends at the Church after 6:00 p.m. An organ memorial recital will be held in the Church before the mass begins. Monsignor G. Michael Bugarin will officiate.

The family has suggested memorial donations be made to Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Organ Restoration Fund), 2701 Chicago Boulevard; Detroit, MI 48206.