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CECIL LAMBERT POIRIER  Obituary pic

CECIL LAMBERT POIRIER

Born: Jan 28, 1925

Date of Passing: Jan 10, 2006

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CECIL LAMBERT POIRIER Surrounded by family, Cecil Lambert Poirier went to his God like a soldier on January 10, 2006 in Kenora, ON, following a lengthy illness. Remembering him are his beloved wife of 52 years, Rita; six children and nine grandchildren, Bob (Patti) and Chantal Packulak (Mark), Andrew and Matthew; Susan; Judy Westdal (Neil) and Geoff and Greg; Mary Falls (Dave) and Nicole and Jordan; Patti Roehl (Darryl) and Taylor; and Andrew (Marj) and Chloe. Cecil was born in Kenora on January 28, 1925 and lived his entire life there. He graduated from Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg, MB and completed the first year in the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, but like so many others of his generation had his life interrupted by the Second World War. After the war he worked in forestry for a period and then began a lifelong career with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a brakeman and conductor, retiring in 1984. He married Rita Seguin of Pine Falls on October 24, 1953. He also ran a successful contracting business throughout his working life, developing a lasting reputation for quality service. Cecil served before the war as a gunner in the Army Reserve, and volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 where he trained as aircrew prior to his 1945 discharge. He returned to 40 Medium Regiment, Kenora immediately after the war, and served faithfully until 2002, the last 16 years as the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. One of his crowning achievements is the new Kenora Armoury, the product of a fight he waged for many years with bureaucracy and more than one Member of Parliament. Never a reticent man, Cecil was zealous about serving his town. He was a member of the Kenora District Roman Catholic Separate School Board, for over 29 years, most of that time as the Chairman. A tireless advocate for Catholic education, his most prominent achievement of this time is Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, for which he worked hard for decades. Cecil also served on the executive of his union; on the executive of and as a worker for the provincial and federal Liberal riding associations; on the Police Commission and on the executive of the Kenora Housing Association. He was also a lifelong active member of the Knights of Columbus and a fourth degree Knight. Cecil was a man of powerful emotions, and argued for what he believed in. Few of those who disagreed with him on issues can forget the experience and few did not become friends of his in the end. He loved and doted on his children and grandchildren. He leaves behind numerous friends. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13 at Notre Dame du Portage Church, First Street North, Kenora. A funeral mass celebrating Cecil's life will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m., also at the church, officiated by Rev. Rudy Manaloto, O.S.A. Following the mass there will be a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Pallbearers will be Greg Duggan, Paul Duggan, Norbert Dufresne, Chris Edie, Paul Landry and Ross Playfair. Donations may be made to the Kenora Catholic District School Board towards the establishment of a post-secondary bursary for deserving graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in honour of Cecil Poirier.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2006

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